Microbial Ecology Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position overview
Salary range: The current salary range for this position is $84,100-$132,900 (9-month academic year salary), however, off-scale salary and other components of pay, which would yield compensation that is higher than this range, are offered to meet competitive conditions.
Anticipated start: July 1, 2027
Application Window
Open date: September 3, 2026
Next review date: Sunday, Oct 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Sunday, Oct 18, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Position description
The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology in the Rausser College of Natural Resources at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position in "Plant- or Macroalgae-Associated Microbial Communities and Interactions."
The department is a community of scholars whose research advances knowledge in plant and microbial systems in terms of biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, genetics and genomics, ecology, evolution, and pathogenesis, and their applications to ecosystems, agriculture, bioenergy, biomedicine, and biotechnology. Our undergraduate students have a choice of vibrant majors that span the disciplines in the department, and we administer top-ranked Ph.D. programs in microbiology and plant biology. Our researchers benefit from having access to extensive greenhouse and field space and opportunities for interactions and collaborations with other biological science departments and units on campus.
This position centers on research into how plants or macroalgae and their associated microbial communities jointly respond and adapt to environmental stressors, contributing to climate-resilient crops and microbial systems. The scope of the position spans, but is not limited to: plant-microbiome or macroalgae-microbiome interactions in the context of pathogen defense (viral, bacterial, or fungal disease); soil microbial communities and their role in reducing agricultural dependence on pesticides, fertilizers, and greenhouse gas emissions; and microbial associations with macroalgae relevant to cultivation, health, and climate resilience in the emerging bioeconomy.
Research in this position will complement and build on existing strengths in PMB, with opportunities for collaboration through our existing partnerships, e.g. the Innovative Genomics Institute, the Energy & Biosciences Institute, the International Bioeconomy & Macroalgae Center, the Plant Gene Expression Center, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Berkeley Food Institute, the Joint Genomics Institute, and the Joint Bioenergy Institute, and other campus and national lab partners. These partnerships support research that integrates fundamental discovery with translational applications for agricultural and environmental resilience.
The faculty member appointed to this position will teach and mentor the next generation of scientists in plant and microbial biology, including contributing to PMB's growing undergraduate and graduate curricula in this area. Faculty are expected to contribute teaching to the core curriculum of the department and participate fully in the graduate programs. For more information about the department's undergraduate programs, see Undergraduate Majors and for graduate programs, see Graduate Programs .
The Department of Plant and Microbial Biology is committed to sustaining a thriving intellectual community in which all faculty, students, and staff can do their best work. We embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our obligation and goal. UC Berkeley values the family needs of faculty, including dual career couples, single parents, or those who may have taken time off for family reasons. For information about potential relocation to Berkeley, or career needs of accompanying partners and spouses, please visit the Office for Faculty Equity & Welfare's website.
Department: https://plantandmicrobiology.berkeley.edu/
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
PhD (or equivalent international degree), or enrolled in PhD or equivalent international degree-granting program at the time of application.
Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrate evidence of strong research productivity, potential for funding, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and research mentoring of undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.
• Demonstrate evidence of expertise and scholarship in a relevant field such as, but not limited to, plant-microbiome interactions, soil microbial ecology, or microbial associations with macroalgae, as related to climate resilience in agricultural or environmental systems.
• Demonstrate strong research skills and the potential to establish an innovative, collaborative research program that complements and extends existing strengths in PMB, IGI, EBI, and/or the International Bioeconomy & Macroalgae Center, with evidence of the potential for scientific leadership, creativity, and independence.
• Have a record of significant, impactful, and innovative publications, a compelling vision for future research, and strong letters of reference.
• Demonstrated ability to be a conscientious campus and professional community member, with evidence of willingness to contribute to service in the Department, on campus, to professional societies, or to the public.

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter - Up to two (2) pages.
• Teaching and Mentoring Statement - Please discuss prior teaching experience, teaching approach, and future teaching interests. This can include, for example, specific efforts and accomplishments, and future plans to support the success of all students through inclusive curriculum, classroom environment, and pedagogy. Please also discuss your mentoring experiences and approach. This can include, for example, past efforts and future plans to support the success of all students, and to foster an inclusive research environment that removes barriers and promotes equitable access and advancement of the research program. Up to two (2) pages.
• Research Statement - Please discuss research accomplishments and proposed plans. This can include, for example, your publication record, awards, presentations, inclusive research practices that promote the excellence of your research, and areas for future research. Up to five (5) pages.
• Service Statement - Please discuss specific prior and proposed academic, professional and/or public service activities. This can include, for example, participating in professional or scientific associations, serving on committees that advance department, campus or discipline goals, and conducting outreach activities that can remove barriers and increase participation of academics in your field.
• Authorization to Release Information Form - An institutional reference check will be completed only if you are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. Download, complete, sign, and upload the Authorization to Release Information form .
• Publication / Document #1 - Copy of a publication such as a journal article, book chapter, or other appropriate product.
• Publication / Document #2 - Copy of a publication such as a journal article, book chapter, or other appropriate product.
• Publication / Document #3 - Copy of a publication such as a journal article, book chapter, or other appropriate product.

Reference requirements

• 3-5 letters of reference required

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05522
Help contact: pmbmanagerdesk@berkeley.edu
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy ( APM 210 1-d ). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community , which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy .
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, or discrimination. Consistent with this commitment, UC Berkeley requires all applicants for Senate faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload an Authorization of Information Release form into AP Recruit as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, applicants will only be subject to institutional reference checks if and when they are selected as the candidate to whom the hiring unit would like to extend a formal offer. More information is available on this website .
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Berkeley, CA