Wanted – Summer Intern in Microbial Genomics/Diversity at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundtion

The Marine-Microbiology Initiative at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is looking a person to work there for the summer. This is

“a short-term opportunity for an advanced undergraduate or graduate student who would enjoy delving into the genes and genomes of the microbes sequenced as part of the Microbial Genome Sequencing Project (a.k.a the “Moore 155″).”

For further details and links see the GBMF job ad. Note applications are due June 16, 2008. Here is more detail on what they are looking for:

Since 2004, the Microbial Genome Sequencing Project (MGSP) funded by the Marine Microbiology Initiative has produced the complete genome sequences of a diverse array of Bacteria and Archaea. To date, the genomes of over 130 microbes have been sequenced, annotated using automated computer algorithms, and deposited in public databases. The primary objective for the internship will be to research and synthesize information about the genome content, isolation habitats, and ecology for these microorganisms.

Specific goals include:

• -Synthesize important new discoveries from scientific publications resulting from the MGSP
• -Compare genomes to seek novel patterns of gene content as a function of organism’s habitat and physiology
• -Build 16S rRNA phylogenetic trees for major Bacterial and Archaeal clades for inclusion on the moore.org website
• -Research the primary scientific literature relating to viruses (phage) that infect MGSP microorganisms to investigate the influence of phage on microbial evolution and ecology

Preferred Qualifications/Skill Set:

• -Advanced biological sciences or computer sciences undergraduate or graduate student preferred
• -Strong research, writing, and oral communication skills
• -Strong interest and knowledge of microbial evolution and ecology
• -Experience working with microbial genomes or gene sequences preferred

Author: Jonathan Eisen

I am an evolutionary biologist and a Professor at U. C. Davis. (see my lab site here). My research focuses on the origin of novelty (how new processes and functions originate). To study this I focus on sequencing and analyzing genomes of organisms, especially microbes and using phylogenomic analysis View all posts by Jonathan Eisen