Research Scientist Position
Location: University of Oklahoma, Norman Campus
Open Date: Dec 22, 2025; until filled.
Department: Institute for Environmental Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences.
URL: https://apply.interfolio.com/179516
Description
The University of Oklahoma (OU), Norman campus, seeks to fill multiple full-time Research Scientist positions (3) in Artificial Intelligence, Quantitative Ecology, Computational Biology, or Microbial Ecology and Evolution to support research and educational programs in Environmental Microbiome/Genomics/Ecology, at the Institute for Environmental Genomics (IEG, https://www.ou.edu/ieg).
The research areas of type A positions include one or more of the following topics: (i) development and application of AI-based algorithms/tools for microbial and ecosystem ecology research, particularly deep learning or large language models; (ii) development and application of novel mathematical/computational algorithms, biogeochemical models, or other mathematical frameworks enhanced by big microbiome data analysis; (iii) design and develop computational tools or pipelines for mathematical/statistical analysis of microbiome data (sequencing and gene chip data). Other responsibilities include: (i) managing different servers, pipelines, and cloud computing systems; (ii) coordinating the efforts for applying supercomputing to microbiome studies; and (iii) training postdocs and graduate students for AI and other advanced computational and statistical approaches.
The research areas of type B positions include one or more of the following topics: (i) microbial and plant-microbe interactions and soil health; (ii) microbial evolution and its roles in community dynamics and ecosystem functioning; (iii) synthetic communities for theoretical and applied microbiome research. (iv) development and application of cutting-edge molecular technologies (e.g., long-read sequencing, CRISPR-CAS system, functional gene microarray, etc.) for microbial ecology research. Other responsibilities include: (i) managing field and laboratory experiment systems; (ii) coordinating the efforts for field studies; and (iii) training postdocs and graduate students.
Opportunities exist for the scientists to participate in grant proposal development as a PI or Co-PI. The scientists can also hold adjunct faculty positions within relevant academic departments, such as the School of Biological Sciences or the School of Computer Science.
Review of applications will begin on January 15, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. A near-term start date is desired.
Qualifications
Education
Competitive applicants should have a Ph.D. in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Bioinformatics, Biological or Environmental Engineering, Ecology, Microbiology, Soil Science, Biochemistry, or other relevant disciplines.
Skill
The candidate should have:
- Substantial knowledge/experience in Artificial Intelligence, Quantitative Ecology, Microbial Ecology and Evolution, Metagenomics, Applied Mathematics in Dynamical Systems, or related disciplines;
- For type A positions:
- Strong research experience and skills in various aspects of computing, including but not limited to the following: algorithm development, predictive model design and implementation, data mining and machine learning, big data processing and management, parallel programming, computational tool/pipeline development, supercomputing, and/or cloud computing.
- Experience in microbiome and system biology studies related to bioenergy, climate change, environment pollution, or human health would be desired;
- For type B positions:
- Strong research experience and skills in molecular biology, ecosystem ecology, (meta)genomics, soil science, bioinformatics, or microbial ecology and evolution.
- General programming or molecular experiment skills are required.
- For both types:
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and a demonstrated ability to interact and collaborate with team members and students;
- Experience in proposal development, although not required.
Application Instructions
Interested applicants should prepare the following documents:
- A letter of application
- A current curriculum vitae
- A description of research interests and accomplishments
- The names and contact information for at least three references
ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE. Inquiries should be directed to: Dr. Jizhong (Joe) Zhou (jzhou@ou.edu) or Daliang Ning (ningdaliang@ou.edu). Salary will be commensurate with experience, expertise and skills. Further information about the institute can be found on the IEG website: http://ieg.ou.edu/
Postdoctoral Research Associate Positions for modeling/AI
Location: University of Oklahoma, Norman Campus
Open date: Dec 22, 2025; until the positions are filled.
URL: https://apply.interfolio.com/179513
About the Job
We are seeking multiple (2~3) highly motivated and collaborative postdocs with demonstrated skills in ecosystem modeling and/or AI (machine learning, large language model) and its applications in ecosystem and microbial ecology. The positions’ responsibilities include one or both of the following: (1) a DOE-sponsored project about experimental-data-informed, machine-learning-enabled benchmarking and development of land carbon cycle in earth system models, (2) development and application of AI-enabled tools/pipelines for ecosystem ecology or microbial ecology research. The postdocs are also encouraged to participate in diverse research projects at the Institute for Environmental Genomics (IEG, http://ieg.ou.edu/), e.g., our long-term climate change studies, if they are interested.
The postdocs will be employed in the Institute for Environmental Genomics (IEG) and the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Oklahoma and supervised by Jizhong Zhou, Zheng Shi, or Daliang Ning. The successful candidates will receive cross-training in professional and personal development, research collaboration, presentation and publication of results, proposal development, outreach, and mentoring. The positions include a competitive salary and health insurance. Review of applications will begin January 15, 2026, and will continue until the positions are filled. A near-term start date is desired.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
1) Ph.D. in ecosystem ecology, Earth system science, computer science, or other relevant disciplines is required.
2) Strong background in ecosystem modeling, global land carbon modeling, machine learning, and/or statistics is required.
3) Demonstrated ability to code in Python or Fortran is required.
4) Excellent quantitative, writing, and presentation skills.
5) Experience publishing peer-reviewed publications.
Preferred Qualifications:
1) Experience in developing software/packages/pipelines.
2) Demonstrated ability to direct and run independent research project(s).
3) Multidisciplinary knowledge and research experience in large language models, computer science, mathematics, statistics, ecology, microbiology, engineering, bioinformatics, data mining, parallel programming, supercomputing, or cloud computing.
How To Apply
Interested individuals should send their curriculum vita, a description of research interests and accomplishments (e.g., publications), and the names and telephone numbers of at least three references to Dr. Jizhong Zhou (jzhou@ou.edu), Zheng Shi (zheng.shi@ou.edu), and Daliang Ning (ningdaliang@ou.edu). Salary will be commensurate with experience, expertise and skills. Further information can be found on the IEG web site: http://ieg.ou.edu/.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Positions for microbiome/ecology
Location: University of Oklahoma, Norman Campus
Open date: Dec 22, 2025; until the positions are filled.
URL: https://apply.interfolio.com/179514
About the Job
We are seeking multiple (2~3) highly motivated and collaborative postdocs with demonstrated skills in one or multiple areas of microbiome, microbial ecology and evolution, soil science, or computational biology. The positions are for, but not limited to, the following research topics: (1) microbiome responses to climate change, nutrient addition, or disturbances at the global scale; (2) predictive and mechanistic understanding of microbiome dynamics and functioning in nature and engineering systems (e.g., grassland, bioreactors, wastewater treatment systems, etc.); (3) microbial and plant-microbe interactions and soil health; (4) theory and mechanisms in microbial ecology and experimental and mathematical approaches to investigate; (5) microbial evolution and its roles in community dynamics and ecosystem functioning; (6) development and application of cutting-edge molecular techonology, e.g., long-read sequencing, CRISPR-CAS system, etc., for microbial ecology research; (7) development and application of AI-enhanced tools for the above research topics. The postdocs are encouraged to participate in other diverse research projects at the Institute for Environmental Genomics (IEG, http://ieg.ou.edu/) if they are interested.
The postdocs will be employed in the Institute for Environmental Genomics (IEG) and the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Oklahoma and supervised by Jizhong Zhou, Zheng Shi, or Daliang Ning. The successful candidates will receive cross-training in professional and personal development, research collaboration, presentation and publication of results, proposal development, outreach, and mentoring. The positions include a competitive salary and health insurance. Review of applications will begin January 15, 2026, and will continue until the positions are filled. A near-term start date is desired.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
1) Ph.D. in biology, microbiology, ecology, soil science, environmental science, applied mathematics, computer science, or other relevant disciplines is required.
2) Strong background in microbial ecology, microbial evolution, (meta)genomics, soil science, theoretical or mathematical ecology, or bioinformatics is required.
3) General programming or molecular experiment skills are required.
4) Excellent quantitative, writing, and presentation skills.
5) Experience publishing peer-reviewed publications.
Preferred Qualifications:
1) Demonstrated ability to direct and run independent research project(s).
2) Knowledge and experience in developing or applying AI (machine learning, large language models) for microbiome research.
3) Multidisciplinary knowledge and research experience in ecology, microbiology, engineering, bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics, statistics, data mining, parallel programming, supercomputing, or cloud computing.
How To Apply
Interested individuals should send their curriculum vita, a description of research interests and accomplishments (e.g., publications), and the names and telephone numbers of at least three references to Dr. Jizhong Zhou (jzhou@ou.edu), Zheng Shi (zheng.shi@ou.edu), and Daliang Ning (ningdaliang@ou.edu). Salary will be commensurate with experience, expertise and skills. Further information can be found on the IEG web site: http://ieg.ou.edu/
