The Oliverio Lab (https://www.oliveriolab.org/) is a brand-new research lab at Syracuse University in the Biology department. Our lab is also affiliated with the ‘Big Data and Data Analytics’ research cluster at SU, a multidisciplinary cluster of research labs that collaborate on computational questions across genomics, bioinformatics, computer sciences, physics, and other disciplines. Our lab studies the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of microbial systems. We are interested in recruiting a graduate student to start Fall 2022.

POSITION

The student will have considerable flexibility to develop their projects within one of our current systems of focus: (1) elucidating the ecological attributes and functional contributions of microbes to soil systems or (2) investigating the eco-evolutionary dynamics of microbial systems with synthetic sourdough starter microbial systems. For both systems, our lab uses an integrative approach combining large-scale experiments, functional ‘omics (such as shotgun metagenomics and metabolomics), and modeling. For more details on our research program, please see: https://oliveriolab.org/research/.

Research will generally include a mix of computational work (developing and running bioinformatic pipelines, data analyses), lab work (including culturing and molecular techniques such as DNA extractions, library prep etc.), and field work, depending on the project. Additionally, the student will participate in writing, and disseminating results through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The percent breakdown of computational versus wet lab work will depend on graduate student interest and project needs. The student will join a growing team of researchers and work on projects with collaborators that span multiple institutions.

QUALIFICATIONS

The lab is seeking an enthusiastic and creative thinker who is interested in ecology, microbiology, bioinformatics, and/or genomics. The minimum qualification is a bachelor’s degree in Biology or a related field.

Preferred qualifications include previous wet lab research experience (e.g. microbial culturing, high-throughput molecular methods); and/or quantitative experience (e.g. running bioinformatics programs, coding, familiarity with github etc.); and an interest in understanding the dynamics of microbial systems. We greatly value a range of experiences and perspectives and encourage applicants with diverse and non-traditional backgrounds to apply.

TO APPLY

Applicants should email Dr. Angela Oliverio (amoliver@syr.edu) before December 1^st and ideally as soon as possible, to (1) introduce yourself, (2) outline how our research interests overlap, (3) provide some detail about your future career goals, and (4) include a short CV.

BENEFITS

At Syracuse, Biology Ph.D. students are supported financially for 5 years. This support typically comes in the form of a teaching assistantship and tuition scholarship during the academic year, with the student free to conduct their research full-time during the summer. Students may also be supported by their faculty research advisor’s external grants or by Syracuse University Fellowships. For more information about potential external sources of funding, please refer to our Financial Assistance webpage.

“We believe our graduate students should be concentrating on their research, not on trying to pay the rent. The current minimum level of support for the 2020-2021 academic year is $27,270 for Biology Ph.D. students…, with the possibility of additional summer support, currently at the level of $2,500. In addition, tuition is paid in full, and Syracuse University provides excellent health insurance options.” (From https://thecollege.syr.edu/biology/graduate-overview/how-apply-ms-or-phd-biology/)

It is also worth noting that Syracuse, NY consistently ranks very high on affordability indices and has recently been named one of the best cities to live (e.g. https://cnycentral.com/news/local/syracuse-ranks-as-3-best-northeast-city-to-live-in-post-covid)

About SU & Syracuse

Learn more about the graduate program in Biology. Application deadlines and information about Syracuse graduate programs can be found here. Syracuse University is an R1 research institution.

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. 

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.