The Wilhelm and Talmy research groups in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an interdisciplinary project examining how episodic events shape competition, oxidative stress responses, and toxin production in the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis.

The successful candidate will contribute to controlled chemostat experiments, mesocosm studies, molecular and physiological analyses, and integration of laboratory results with predictive modeling. The project focuses on mechanisms linking short-term temperature fluctuations, oxidative stress, strain succession, and microcystin production in Lake Erie and related freshwater systems. The project also addresses the role of nutrient elements in selection for Microcystis. We seek applicants with a Ph.D. in microbiology, aquatic ecology, environmental science, biological oceanography, or a related field. Preferred qualifications include experience in one or more of the following: cyanobacterial culture, experimental design, flow cytometry, qPCR/transcriptomics, physiological measurements, environmental data analysis, or quantitative/modeling approaches. Candidates should have a strong publication record, excellent communication skills, and interest in collaborative, cross-disciplinary research.

The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with a team spanning microbiology, physiology, field ecology, and modeling, and will have opportunities to mentor students, publish high-impact research, and participate in field activities in the Great Lakes region.

Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in microbiology, aquatic ecology, environmental science, biological oceanography, or a related field.

• Experience in one or more of the following: cyanobacterial culture, experimental design, flow cytometry, qPCR/transcriptomics, physiological measurements, environmental data analysis, or quantitative/modeling approaches.

• Candidates should have a strong publication record, excellent communication skills, and interest in collaborative, cross-disciplinary research.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in molecular biology

• Experience in algal culture

• Experience in mathematical modeling

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Must have knowledge of basic biology and microbiology.

• Must be familiar with using computers to analyze data and in reading scientific literature.

• Techniques needed may include, but are not limited to:

  • Algal culturing

  • Molecular biology techniques (cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR)

  • Light and fluorescence microscopy

  • Knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within microbiology

Work Location:

• Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• Anticipated hiring range: $62,500 - $65,000
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before August 1, 2026.

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The Department

The Department of Microbiology is an active participant and leader in the Community of Scholars on Immunology and Inflammation (CoSI2), Community of Scholars on Microbial Consortia (CoSMiC), and Biomembranes Community of Scholars at UTK, which brings together engineering, chemistry, veterinary, and material sciences, UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), and the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) in Knoxville. Labs have access to multiple core facilities on campus including animal facility, genomics core, imaging core, mass-spectrometry core, flow cytometers and cell sorters (https://research.utk.edu/oried/core-facilities/). UTK is the flagship university of the University of Tennessee System and is designated as a Carnegie ‘Very High Research Activity’ University.

The Department of Microbiology values the quality of life of all its members and is committed to promoting an atmosphere where all members of the university community feel welcome and can thrive. Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, The University of Tennessee Knoxville was founded in 1794 and is one of the oldest public universities in the nation. There are over 40,000 students enrolled at the Knoxville campus, who train and study in a city where excellence in academia meets the natural beauty of the southern Appalachian region and in the company of the artists, makers, and entrepreneurs that call Knoxville their home.

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Lead, plan and carry out research associated with freshwater microbial communities in lab and field studies
• Collect, analyze data, and create reports on activities to present at lab meetings
• Generate peer-reviewed publications on the outcomes of research
• Assist in the mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students in the research team.
• Participate in the labs outreach/broader impact efforts in the location community