Academic ConnectPost Doctoral Fellow - Biology
Department: Biology
Salary: Commensurate with Experience/Education
Description: Possesses, understands, and applies a comprehensive knowledge in area of specialization. Develops understanding and skills to allow for completion of assignments that cross fields of specialization. Develops leadership and management skills. 1. Receives/Reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments or projects under control or supervisory responsibility. 2. Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental procedures. 3. May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex piece of research equipment. 4. May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel. 5. May plan for and assign personnel to projects under control. 6. Operates with latitude for unreviewed action. 7. May receive general supervision conferring with higher levels only in unusual situations. 8. Performs other job-related duties as required.
Detailed Description: The Albecker Lab at the University of Houston seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an NIH-funded research program investigating the physiological, genetic, and evolutionary mechanisms underlying salt tolerance and chronic salinity exposure in amphibians. The anticipated start date is April 1, 2026, though flexibility is possible. The position is funded for two years, with the possibility of extension contingent on performance and funding availability.
Research Focus: The postdoc will contribute to an integrative research program that combines molecular, developmental, evolutionary, and organismal perspectives to understand how freshwater vertebrates persist in increasingly saline environments. The work includes laboratory-based mechanistic studies and field-based population sampling, with an emphasis on linking molecular and physiological variation to organismal performance and evolutionary outcomes.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Conduct molecular and genetic laboratory work, which may include DNA/RNA extraction, histology, immunohistochemistry, hormone assays (e.g., ELISAs), qPCR, transcriptomic or genomic library preparation, and downstream analyses
- Participate in animal care and husbandry, including maintaining amphibians under controlled laboratory conditions and assisting with experimental exposures
- Lead and assist with fieldwork and biological collections, including seasonal sampling of wild amphibian populations in Southeastern United States.
- Contribute to experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation
- Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and assist with dissemination of results
- Mentor undergraduate and graduate students as appropriate
- Maintain organized records and adhere to IACUC and NIH compliance standards
Desired Qualifications:
- PhD in biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, or a closely related field by the start date
- Demonstrated track record of scientific productivity, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
- Demonstrated experience with molecular or genetic techniques (wet lab experience required)
- Proficiency in statistical analysis
- Comfort working with live animals and willingness to engage in hands-on husbandry
- Interest in integrative, organismal, or evolutionary biology
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative lab environment
- Field experience and experience with amphibians are desirable but not required
Salary and Benefits: Salary will be aligned with the NIH NRSA postdoctoral pay scale, with an expected range of $61,000–$65,000 per year, depending on experience. Additionally, the University of Houston offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and access to research resources.
Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing their research experience and future research interests, a CV, and contact information for three professional references. Please email your application materials as a single PDF file to maalbecker@uh.edu with the subject line "Postdoc Application – FirstName_LastName".
Deadline: Applications will be accepted until March 1st, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
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