Assistant Professor in Plant or Macroalgae-Associated Microbial Communities
Tenure-track faculty position exploring microbial interactions with plants and macroalgae for climate-resilient systems.
Best for:Best for early-career researchers with expertise in microbial ecology, plant-microbiome interactions, or macroalgae-associated microbiomes, seeking to advance climate-resilient agricultural and environmental systems through interdisciplinary research and mentorship.
Overview
The University of California, Berkeley invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology. This role focuses on research into how plants or macroalgae and their associated microbial communities adapt to environmental stressors, aiming to develop climate-resilient agricultural and bioeconomic systems. The successful candidate will conduct innovative research, collaborate with interdisciplinary partners, and contribute to teaching and mentoring at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The position emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to microbiome interactions, pathogen defense, soil microbial ecology, and macroalgae cultivation for sustainability.
What you'll do
- Conduct cutting-edge research on plant or macroalgae-associated microbial communities and their roles in environmental stress adaptation.
- Develop and lead an independent research program that complements existing strengths in plant and microbial biology at UC Berkeley.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary partners, including the Innovative Genomics Institute, Energy & Biosciences Institute, and other campus and national labs.
- Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in plant and microbial biology, contributing to departmental curricula and graduate programs.
- Engage in service activities within the department, on campus, and in professional societies to advance academic and public goals.
- Foster an inclusive and equitable research and teaching environment that supports diverse student and faculty communities.
Requirements
Degree required: PhD in Plant Biology, Microbiology, or a related field, or equivalent international degree.
Language: English proficiency (required for teaching and research in an English-speaking academic environment).
Instruction: English
Publications: Significant, impactful, and innovative publications in relevant fields.
- Demonstrated expertise in plant-microbiome interactions, soil microbial ecology, or macroalgae-associated microbiomes.
- Strong research productivity and potential for securing external funding.
- Experience in teaching and mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scholars.
- Ability to establish an innovative and collaborative research program.
- Commitment to inclusive teaching practices and equitable mentorship.
- Experience in conducting research that integrates fundamental discovery with translational applications.
- No specific nationality or residency restrictions mentioned.
- Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD program or have completed a PhD (or equivalent) at the time of application.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: October 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) (America/Los_Angeles)
Applicants must submit a Curriculum Vitae, cover letter, teaching and mentoring statement, research statement, service statement, authorization to release information form, and three publications or documents via the UC Berkeley recruitment portal. Three to five letters of reference are also required.
- CV
- Cover letter (up to 2 pages)
- Teaching and Mentoring Statement (up to 2 pages)
- Research Statement (up to 5 pages)
- Service Statement
- Authorization to Release Information Form
- Three publications or documents (e.g., journal articles, book chapters)
Contact
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology· Hiring Contact
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