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Athens, GA 30602
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Email: hrweb@uga.edu

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

The University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography (SkIO) is a multidisciplinary research and training institution located on a 700-acre campus on Skidaway Island. The Institute’s primary goals are to further understanding of marine and environmental sciences, conduct leading edge research on marine and coastal systems, and train tomorrow’s scientists. Our campus is also a host to Georgia Southern University’s Applied Coastal Research Lab, NOAA Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, The University of Georgia’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium, and The Nature Conservancy. Skidaway Institute of Oceanography is also home to the Research Vessel (R/V) Savannah. The R/V Savannah is owned and operated by the Institute and is a member of the University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) and Academic Research Fleet (ARF).

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

The Cohen and Ohnemus Labs are recruiting a highly interdisciplinary applicant to lead independent research initiatives within the disciplines of trace metal biogeochemistry and microbial ecology. Funds to support this position come from National Science Foundation GEOTRACES awards (https://www.geotraces.org/) to Ohnemus, and a Simons Foundation award in Marine Microbial Ecology to Cohen. Research opportunities include constraining trace element biogeochemical cycles in the Southern Ocean via analysis of marine particles collected on GEOTRACES, linking trace element availability with microbial metabolisms, and characterizing microeukaryote diversity and functional roles along geochemical gradients. Study sites include the Southern Ocean, the South Atlantic Bight of the southeastern US continental shelf, and the Gulf of Mexico, with opportunities for field work in the South Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Mexico in collaboration with other SkIO scientists. Of particular interest are understanding trace metal distributions and microeukaryote communities and metabolisms in coastal ecosystems including the Amundsen Sea and Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone.

Ph.D. from an accredited college or university in Chemical Oceanography, Biological Oceanography, Earth Sciences or a related field at the time of appointment.

Experience in marine biogeochemistry is required. Applicants will be independently motivated and enthusiastic about research.

Proficient in English language (written and verbal) and quantitative analytical skills are essential.

Experience with trace element “clean” sampling and elemental quantification via ICP-MS is strongly preferred. Experience with omics, including 16S and 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, or metaproteomics, is strongly preferred. Seagoing experience is preferred but not required. Biological skills including plankton classification via flow cytometry and automated imaging analyses (e.g., FlowCAM) are preferred but not required. Proficiency with a coding language is strongly preferred.

Will sit for long periods of time. Driving as needed to perform job duties.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.