Position Summary
The Tank Lab in the Department of Plant Biology at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a fixed-term, postdoctoral scholar in plant systematics and phylogenomics. We seek a botanist who combines strong bioinformatics skills with an interest in using plant collections to address evolutionary questions.
Research will build on our phylogenomic studies of Castilleja (the paintbrushes, Orobanchaceae) and explore the role of hybridization and introgression in plant diversification. Potential directions include determining how introgression varies across species and geographic regions, investigating the persistence of species boundaries in the face of ongoing gene flow, and integrating genomic, morphological, and ecological evidence to understand evolutionary history. There will also be opportunities to contribute to ongoing phylogenomic projects in other plant groups, particularly within Orobanchaceae.
Specific questions, projects, and approaches will be developed collaboratively with the successful candidate, based on their interests and expertise. The postdoc will have substantial scope to shape the research and develop independent projects in other plant groups that address complementary questions.
The lab is closely connected with the MSU Herbarium, and we are particularly interested in applicants who want to connect herbaria with modern collections-based research. Related opportunities include Michigan and Great Lakes floristics and development of infrastructure linking specimens with genomic and other biodiversity data.
The postdoc will join MSU's Plant Sciences and Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior communities, with opportunities for collaboration, student mentoring, and professional development aligned with their career goals.
Duties and responsibilities -
-Develop and carry out research drawing on existing lab collections and datasets and herbarium specimens, with potential opportunities for targeted fieldwork.
-Generate and analyze molecular data. Depending on the project, work may span DNA/RNA isolation, sequencing library preparation and target enrichment, sequence processing and assembly, and phylogenomic, population genomic, and comparative analyses.
-Lead manuscript preparation and communicate findings through publications and presentations.
-Contribute to collaborative lab and herbarium projects, with opportunities for student mentoring.
-A successful candidate will contribute to advancing institutional/unit core values of ethical and academic standards; culture and climate; and conduct and behavior, as described in MSU´s updated strategic plan.
Appointment and start date -
The position is full time and based at MSU in East Lansing, Michigan. The annual salary is approximately $63,000, plus MSU benefits. The initial appointment is for one year, with anticipated annual renewal contingent on satisfactory performance and continued availability of funding. Multiple years of funding are available. The start date is flexible, but the successful candidate must begin before July 1, 2027. The preferred start date is January 2027.
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
Doctorate -Botany, plant systematics, evolutionary biology or related field
Minimum Requirements
-A Ph.D. in botany, plant systematics, evolutionary biology, or a related field, completed by the start date.
-A strong grounding in plant systematics and evolution, with demonstrated research experience working with plants.
-Experience analyzing high-throughput sequence data to address phylogenetic or evolutionary questions, including scripting in R, Python, or a comparable language and working in command-line computing environments.
-Experience in molecular laboratory research.
-Scientific curiosity, strong scientific writing and communication skills, and the ability to develop research independently and work collegially with collaborators.
Desired Qualifications
-Experience with sequencing library preparation, target sequence capture, and/or analysis of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data for phylogenomics.
-Experience with inference of hybridization or introgression, population genomics, comparative genomics, or phylogenetic comparative methods.
-Experience in plant taxonomy, herbarium collections, floristics, or biodiversity informatics.
-Interest in contributing to the MSU Herbarium and developing connections between herbaria and modern collections-based research.
We welcome applicants with different combinations of these strengths.
Required Application Materials
1. A letter of interest of 1-2 pages describing your research background, relevant skills, interests in the position, and potential research directions. Please include your interest in collections-based research and your earliest available start date.
2. A curriculum vitae, including publications.
3. Names and contact information for three referees who can speak to your research skills, scientific writing, intellectual curiosity, scholarly potential, and ability to work collaboratively. Letters of recommendation will be requested for shortlisted applicants.
Special Instructions
Please submit application materials through the MSU Careers website (https://careers.msu.edu).
Review of applications will begin November 20, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Informal inquiries are encouraged and may be directed to Dave Tank at dtank@msu.edu.
More information about the Department of Plant Biology and MSU Herbarium is available at https://plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu and https://herbarium.natsci.msu.edu .
Michigan State University and the Department of Plant Biology welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Review of Applications Begins On
11/20/2026
Website
https://plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/
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.
