Position Description

About the University and Department  Established in 1911, Tsinghua University is a unique comprehensive university bridging China and the world, connecting ancient and modern, and encompassing the arts and sciences. As one of China's most prestigious and influential universities, Tsinghua is 4th worldwide in the 2017 Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings and has been ranked as the world No.1 in engineering and computer science since 2015.

About the Position  The Department of Earth System Science (DESS) at Tsinghua University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in the Liu Group. This is a unique opportunity to lead interdisciplinary research at the intersection of microbiology, earth system science, and astrobiology.

Appointment Terms This is a full-time position. The initial appointment is for 2 years, with the possibility of renewal for an additional year based on performance and project progress.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on microbial survival and adaptation mechanisms in extreme environments analogous to extraterrestrial settings.

• Develop and apply biosignature detection methods for planetary exploration missions.

• Perform high-throughput data analysis and visualization to support astroecological modeling.

• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to publish high-impact papers and present findings at international conferences.

Qualifications:

• Education: Ph.D. degree in Microbiology, Ecology, Synthetic Biology, Genomics, Bioengineering, or a closely related field.

• Wet-Lab Skills: Solid background in molecular biology and microbiology. Proficiency in microbial isolation and cultivation, functional screening, gene editing, and NGS library preparation.

• Computational Skills: Strong bioinformatics capabilities. Proficiency in Python or R for processing high-throughput sequencing data (amplicon, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics) and data visualization.

• Research Interests: Strong academic interest in Astroecology, Microbial Synthetic Biology, and cross-disciplinary research.

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively within a team.

Salary and Benefits (We Offer):

• Competitive Salary: A fellowship of 300,000 RMB (approx. $47,000) per year, plus other benefits.

• Housing: Subsidized on-campus housing inside the campus of Tsinghua University, a Chinese traditional royal garden.

• Research Environment: A collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities at Tsinghua University.

Application Instructions: Applicants should have received a PhD degree in related fields. Interested candidates should submit the following documents directly via email to zhuliu@tsinghua.edu.cn (or zhanjy25@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn):

1. Cover Letter describing research interests and career goals.

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a list of publications.

(Please use the subject line: "Postdoc Application - [Your Name]")