Careers @ MSU

Position Summary

Research focus

The postdoctoral associate will join a collaborative research program investigating the molecular, biochemical, and physiological bases of avian plumage coloration. Bright plumage colors are among the most striking features of birds and often play important roles in mate choice, competition, and social signaling by conveying information about an individual’s condition. Yet the mechanisms that link ornament expression to physiology and condition remain incompletely understood. The Toomey Lab works to decipher these connections by combining molecular biology, biochemistry, pigment analysis, functional assays, genomics, and comparative and organismal approaches.

Roles, responsibilities, and expectations

This is primarily a research appointment. Depending on the candidate’s background and the direction of the project, responsibilities will include:

• • Design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret experiments on pigment-metabolism pathways using biochemical and molecular approaches.
  • Conduct heterologous expression and functional characterization of candidate genes.
  • Perform pigment extraction and analysis using chromatography.
  • Develop, optimize, and document new experimental assays.
  • Carry out comparative genomic and/or transcriptomic analyses.
  • Characterize gene expression and protein localization.
  • Integrate molecular and biochemical findings with organismal and evolutionary questions.
  • Lead the analysis, writing, and submission of manuscripts arising from the funded project, and present findings at national and international meetings.
  • Mentor undergraduate researchers and collaborate with graduate students, staff, and collaborators at MSU and partner institutions.
  • Contribute to laboratory operations, including safety and regulatory compliance, protocol documentation, reagent and equipment management, and data stewardship.
  • Develop complementary independent research directions and contribute to grant and fellowship proposals.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Terminal -biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, evolutionary biology, physiology, genomics, ecology, or a closely related field

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following minimum qualifications, each of which will be evaluated from the submitted curriculum vitae and cover letter:

• • A Ph.D. in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, evolutionary biology, physiology, genomics, ecology, or a closely related field, completed by the start date. Applicants who have not yet defended must document an expected defense date on the curriculum vitae.
  • Documented research productivity, evidenced by at least one first-author peer-reviewed publication, preprint, or manuscript submitted for review, listed on the curriculum vitae.
  • Documented experience designing, conducting, and interpreting laboratory- or field-based research, described in the cover letter and evidenced by the research record on the curriculum vitae.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific work in written and spoken English, evidenced by the cover letter, publication record, and presentation history.

Desired Qualifications

Applicants must meet all of the following minimum qualifications, each of which will be evaluated from the submitted curriculum vitae and cover letter:

• • A Ph.D. in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, evolutionary biology, physiology, genomics, ecology, or a closely related field, completed by the start date. Applicants who have not yet defended must document an expected defense date on the curriculum vitae.
  • Documented research productivity, evidenced by at least one first-author peer-reviewed publication, preprint, or manuscript submitted for review, listed on the curriculum vitae.
  • Documented experience designing, conducting, and interpreting laboratory- or field-based research, described in the cover letter and evidenced by the research record on the curriculum vitae.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific work in written and spoken English, evidenced by the cover letter, publication record, and presentation history.

Required Application Materials

Complete applications must be submitted through the MSU Careers site

• • A cover letter (no more than two pages) describing your research interests and professional goals, the specific experience and technical skills you would bring to this project, why the Toomey Lab is a good fit for your training, and how you would contribute to the core institutional values described above.
  • A curriculum vitae including education and degree dates, research and professional appointments, publications and preprints, presentations, funding and awards, mentoring and teaching experience, technical skills, and service.
  • Up to 5 representative publications.
  • Contact information (name, position, institution, email, and phone) for three references who are familiar with your research independence, technical skills, and collaborative work.

Letters of recommendation will be requested only for finalists. Applicants are encouraged to describe relevant experience directly rather than submitting a general research statement or philosophy.

Special Instructions

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Contact information

Questions about the position may be directed to the search contact:

Matthew B. Toomey, Ph.D.

Department of Integrative Biology

Michigan State University

288 Farm Lane, Natural Science Building

East Lansing, MI 48824

Email: toomeym1@msu.edu

Phone: 517-432-9819

Lab website: https://mbtoomey.github.io/Toomey-Lab/

Review of Applications Begins On

09/17/2026

Website

www.integrativebiology.natsci.msu.edu

Lab website: https://mbtoomey.github.io/Toomey-Lab/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.