Department of Biology and Chemistry
Opportunities
Functional genomics and metagenomics of pesticide remediating bacteria
Overview
The bioinformatics and genomics-focused Jue Lab is recruiting a graduate student in the M.S. Program in Environmental Science at CSU Monterey Bay to participate in an applied microbial genomics project. This position is part of a broader project to identify the genetic mechanisms used by bacteria to remediate pesticides from agricultural runoff and understand the metagenomic community dynamics that contribute to optimal remediation activity. This position in our M.S. program starts Fall 2018.
Prospective students should be interested in using genomics and bioinformatics to understand the functional genetic basis of complex phenotypes and/or how genetics can inform us on the ecological contexts for successful pesticide remediation.
Apply
Please contact Dr. Nathaniel Jue (njue@csumb.edu) for more information. A successful applicant will be passionate about functional and evolutionary genomics, interested in microbial genetics, and familiar with sterile technique and basic genetic lab techniques. Experience with programming and statistics is also valued. Students working in the Jue lab get professional training in scientific computing, applied data science and advanced genomic lab techniques.
The M.S. Program in Environmental Science at CSUMB provides excellent training required to enter technical positions in industry (~30% of graduates) and government (~40% of graduates) or academia (~20% of graduates) with a 90% graduation rate. Through CSUMB membership in the NOAA Center for Coastal Marine Ecosystems Program (CMP) provides additional opportunities for financial support for graduate studies leading to the Masters of Science degree at CSU Monterey Bay. Center research emphases include Coastal Resilience, Coastal Intelligence and Place-Based Conservation. Prospective students must be applying to the thesis track and must be interested in working in the priority areas of the CMP. Please review the eligibility criteria and application instructions in the CMP graduate page and contact Dr. Jue if you have questions..
The Jue Lab celebrates having members from diverse backgrounds and training and encourages underrepresented and underserved groups to apply.
Undergraduate Students
Functional genomics and metagenomics of pesticide remediating bacteria
Overview
The bioinformatics and genomics Jue Lab is recruiting an undergraduate interested in research for on-going projects on identifying the genetic mechanisms and ecological contexts for using bacteria to remediate pesticides from agricultural run-off as part of a collaboration with Dr. Arlene Haffa’s lab who are using pesticide-degrading bacteria in woodchip bioreactors to study its effect on cleaning agricultural run-off water.
Tasks
Responsibilities for this undergraduate researcher will be assisting on various projects in Dr. Nathaniel Jue’s lab as well as developing their own research project. Undergraduate researchers are expected to fully participate in lab activities and follow all Jue Lab rules of conduct. These include the following: participating in weekly lab meetings; working in the lab a minimum of 10 hours per week; learning to complete lab tasks carefully and independently; maintaining proper lab notebook documentation; assisting other students lab activities and general lab upkeep, etc. Student researchers will get experience in experimental design, advanced lab techniques, and bioinformatics training. An ideal applicant will be interested in lab work and research, self-motivated with a high level of responsibility to complete tasks in a timely manner and make significant progress, and have great attention to detail and strong organization skills.
Apply
Please contact Dr. Nathaniel Jue (njue@csumb.edu) for more information. All interested student are encouraged to apply for funding from either the UROCScholars or Researchers program or the CSUMB NOAA-funded Center for Coastal Marine Ecosystems graduate fellowship program
The Jue Lab celebrates having members from diverse backgrounds and training and encourages underrepresented and underserved groups to apply.