POSTDOC OPPORTUNITY: MOLECULAR MONITORING OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS CORNELL UNIVERSITY OVERVIEW: The laboratory of Nina Overgaard Therkildsen at Cornell University is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral to lead a project exploring the use of DNA-based methods to monitor lower food web dynamics. Quantifying zooplankton diversity and abundance is vital for monitoring ecosystem health, but traditional methods based on microscopy are labor-intensive and often provide limited taxonomic resolution. Metabarcoding offers promise of faster, cheaper, more accurate, and higher-resolution characterization of zooplankton biodiversity. However, these methods can be limited by primer biases, incomplete reference databases, and challenges in accurately reflecting organismal biomass. Shotgun metagenomics - sequencing all DNA present in a sample without the need for targeted amplification - may provide a more comprehensive and unbiased view of community composition. This approach has the potential to offer a more accurate estimate of relative abundance, but its performance and practicality for application on complex real-world tissue mixtures has not yet been validated. Accordingly, both metabarcoding and metagenomic approaches will need careful context-specific evaluation and benchmarking against traditional approaches prior to any large-scale implementation in monitoring programs. This position offers the exciting opportunity to assess the performance of these emerging techniques in a real-world monitoring program and help shape the future of aquatic ecosystem assessment. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: The project will generate side-by-side comparisons of results from metabarcoding, metagenomics, and traditional microscopy on samples collected by the Hudson River Lower Food Web Monitoring Program. The postdoc is expected to lead efforts in the following five areas: - Design and refine experimental and laboratory protocols for DNA extraction and library preparation from bulk tissue and water samples - Analyze high-throughput sequencing data and optimize bioinformatic pipelines for both metabarcoding and metagenomic workflows - Build and curate taxonomic reference databases from public repositories and de novo sequencing - Collaborate with partners and regional stakeholders and co-organize annual workshops to promote knowledge exchange - Prepare peer-reviewed publications and presentations for both scientific and broader audiences DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: - A Ph.D. in molecular ecology, bioinformatics, evolutionary biology, environmental genomics, or a related field - Demonstrated experience with metabarcoding, metagenomics, or other environmental DNA applications - Proficiency in programming and bioinformatics tools for high- throughput sequence analysis - Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment. - Strong written and verbal communication skills - Commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment TERMS OF APPOINTMENT: This is a full-time position starting in late summer 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter). The initial appointment is for 12 months, with the potential for renewal based on performance and available funding. The position will be based in Ithaca, NY, in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at Cornell University. While on-site work is preferred, we offer some flexibility. Salary will be commensurate with experience and competitive. Our lab and Cornell University are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds. TIMELINE AND APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply, please send a cover letter with a description of your motivation and interest in the position, along with your CV and contact information for three references to Nina Overgaard Therkildsen at nt246@cornell.edu. Review of applications will begin on June 27, and continue until the position is filled. Feel free to reach out with questions prior to applying. You'll join a vibrant community of researchers dedicated to solving pressing ecological challenges through innovation and collaboration. Our lab (https://www.therkildsenlab.com/) is part of the larger campus-wide Cornell Center for Comparative and Population Genomics (http://3cpg.cornell.edu) whose mission includes fostering research, education, and outreach in comparative and population genetics, and which brings together a vibrant and interactive group of over 350 faculty, postdocs, graduate students and staff who share a commitment to comparative and evolutionary genomic approach to the study of living systems. ? nt246@cornell.edu (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)