The Algae Systems and Ecological Engineering Lab of Dr. David Blersch, with the Biosystems Engineering Department (http://www.eng.auburn.edu/bsen/) at Auburn University is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct research on applied phycology for nutrient recovery from wastewater streams. The appointment is for a period of two years. The position is a 12-month, benefits eligible, non-tenure accruing position and is immediately available. The preferred starting date is June of 2024.

 

The candidate will lead the investigation in bioprospecting for filamentous algal species in the southeastern U.S. useful for cultivating at-scale for nutrient remediation and biomass production in wastewaters. The project goal is to identify candidate warm-water species of attached filamentous algae strains from selected watersheds in the southeastern U.S. states, especially Alabama and Georgia, and investigate their response to temperature, flow rate, and nutrient concentration in unialgal and mixed cultures in the laboratory. The research position is funded by a U.S. Department of Energy funding award focused on upscaling of filamentous algae cultivation for biomass production in regional climate conditions. Opportunities exist for the candidate to design and implement their own research in algae collection and in experiments related to filamentous algae culturing at various scales and in controlled environmental conditions. Contributions to grant proposal and research manuscript writing is expected and encouraged.

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