Join us!
I plan to recruit a lab technician, one or two graduate students, and one or two postdocs starting after July 2025. Please see below for details.
In general, we are looking for highly motivated students and researchers who are passionate about science, value and would like to contribute to a healthy and inclusive lab environment. Our lab focuses on discovering unexpected microbial diversity and microbially-driven biogeochemistry and making this unexpected expected and predictable.
Students and researchers interested in microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, or a combination of both in a changing environment are welcome to apply. You will have the opportunity to establish networks and collaborations with scientists inside and outside your primary area of focus!
Potential research directions include but are not limited to:
Exploring metabolic trade-offs and traits of microbes that are essential to understand the current and predict the future biogeochemical cycles
Identifying and determining missing kinetics of microbially driven biogeochemical processes in a changing ocean
Investigating rules behind microbial diversity that have important biogeochemical consequences
Potential research tools include but are not limited to metagenomics, biogeochemical experiments, synthetic ecology experiments, ecological theories, and mechanistic models. Our lab focuses on coastal and open-ocean ecosystems. Specific research projects proposed by the candidates are also welcome.
The official recruiting process for graduate students will start in October 2024. Please check important deadlines for the Biology Graduate Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Contact Xin beforehand is highly encouraged.
The official recruiting process for postdocs and a lab technician will start in April or May 2025 through the University of Pennsylvania, but you are encouraged to contact Xin before that. The official job ads and application link will be updated once available.
Joining us as a graduate student
If you are interested in becoming a graduate student in our lab, you are welcome to contact Xin (email address at the bottom of the page) directly before applying to Penn. Please feel free to email Xin with your CV and briefly introduce yourself (your research experience, interest, and why you are interested in our lab).
Prospective students should submit their application to the Biology Graduate Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Joining us as a lab technician
If you want to team up with us to set up a new lab, please email Xin (email address at the bottom of the page) with your CV, and introduce your experience and why you are interested in becoming a lab technician. Experience such as a Master's degree or others after a bachelor's degree is preferred! Experience with instruments (using or setting up any kind) or fieldwork (such as going on research cruises) is highly desired but not required.
Joining us as a postdoc
If you are interested in joining us as a postdoc, please send Xin an email (email address at the bottom of the page) with your CV and a cover letter with your research experience, your future research plan, and why you are interested in our lab. If you want to develop a proposal together for a postdoctoral fellowship, please also let Xin know.
Joining us as an undergraduate student
If you are interested in exploring research with us, you are welcome to email Xin (email address at the bottom of the page) with your CV and briefly introduce yourself (your experience, interest, and why you are interested in our lab).