Postdoctoral Investigator: Population Genetics of Marine Microbial Eukaryotes
Job Summary
Job Description
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Investigator in Genomics and Population Genetics focused on developing computational approaches to characterize genetic diversity, population structure, and adaptive variation in marine microbial eukaryotes using single-cell genomic, transcriptomic, and metagenomic data. The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Harriet Alexander.
The goal of this position is to develop and apply population genetic approaches to single-cell, transcriptomic, and metagenomic datasets generated from natural microbial communities. Most protistan plankton cannot be cultured or isolated as individuals, so classical population genetic methods developed for organisms that can be sampled, genotyped, and tracked one at a time do not transfer directly to these systems. This position will build new analytical frameworks for extracting population-level signal from mixed-community sequence data, advancing our ability to study evolution and adaptation in the ocean’s most abundant and least understood organisms.
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in oceanography, microbial ecology, population genetics or molecular evolution, experience with high-throughput sequence data (single-cell genomics/transcriptomics and/or metagenomics), and proficiency in Python, R, and/or BASH. Direct experience with non-model or environmentally sampled organisms, workflow management systems (e.g., Snakemake, Nextflow), and high-performance computing is preferred but not required. The candidate will have the opportunity to help define new methods at the interface of population genetics and environmental multi-omics, and to collaborate with an interdisciplinary group of biologists and bioinformaticians.
Strong oral and written communication skills, preferably demonstrated through publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations, are also required. The initial appointment is one year. Renewal of the appointment is conditional on the Postdoctoral Scholar making satisfactory progress during the prior year and continuation of funding. This is a full-time position with full benefits (https://www.whoi.edu/website/HR/benefits).
WHOI is situated in the village of Woods Hole, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, approximately 1.5 hours driving south of Boston. WHOI has approximately 1200 full-time employees and students engaged in oceanographic research and education. WHOI is co-located in Woods Hole with the University of Chicago Marine Biological Laboratory, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, USGS Coastal and Marine Science Center, and Woodwell Climate Research Center, driving a vibrant marine research community. WHOI has a top-rated postdoctoral program (www.whoi.edu/postdoctoral/) that supports a dynamic postdoctoral community with formal mentoring and career guidance programs. While the primary focus of the work will be in research, the Postdoctoral Scholar will have opportunities to participate in educational and outreach activities associated with the project.
Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, up to three relevant publications, and names/contact information for at least three professional references by August 15, 2026. Target start date is September 15, 2026.
Essential Functions & Duties
Conduct independent and collaborative research developing and applying population genetic methods to single-cell genomic, transcriptomic, and metagenomic data.
Analyze high-throughput sequence data from environmental samples, develop and troubleshoot bioinformatics pipelines, and manage, curate, and archive genetic/genomic data.
Required Experience & Education
Ph.D. in biological oceanography, evolutionary biology, population genet
Sea Duty
Potentially required.
Additional Job Requirements
WHOI accepts applications on a rolling basis - applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure full consideration. While we will continue to review applications until the position is filled, and early applicants may have an advantage in the selection process.
EEO Statement
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.