What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Associate in Aquatic Plant Phytoremediation position at Maine's Public Universities?
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) and the University of Maine's School of Food and Agriculture (UMaine) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in Aquatic Phytoremediation and Plant Biology. The successful candidate will assist in leading research evaluating native aquatic vascular plants for their capacity to bioaccumulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from impacted surface waters within agroecosystems in Maine. This role bridges field plant identification and inventory, greenhouse propagation, agroecology, and analytical testing to evaluate the ecological restoration and phytoremediation potential of native aquatic plant species. Work will occur both at CMBG and UMaine. Funding is for one year with the expectation of continuation for 1-2 additional years and part of a continuing Cooperative Agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. Typical hiring range for this soft-money, fixed-length position is $50,000 to $55,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Please review the Postdoctoral Associate in Aquatic Plant Phytoremediation job description for more information.
About the University:
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu.
The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options.
UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Ph.D. in Botany, Aquatic Ecology, Plant Biology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
- Hands-on experience in plant propagation and maintenance and greenhouse experimentation.
- Knowledge in contaminant dynamics, environmental chemistry, or phytoremediation.
- Valid driver's license and willingness to perform field sampling in diverse aquatic environments.
- Prior experience working with PFAS or other environmental contaminants.
- Demonstrated experience in aquatic plant taxonomy, identification, and field collection protocols.
- Strong track record of experimental design and data analysis and interpretation.
Preferred:
- Prior experience working with PFAS or other environmental contaminants.
- Demonstrated experience in aquatic plant taxonomy, identification, and field collection protocols.
- Strong track record of experimental design and data analysis and interpretation.
Other Information:
To be considered for this position you will need to "Apply" and upload the documentation listed below:
1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on December 18, 2026.
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
Salary : $50,000 - $55,000