About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
Job Summary
The Gerson lab at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst is seeking a highly qualified postdoctoral researcher to pursue lab & field based projects investigating the functional changes and underlying mechanisms of acute phenotypic flexibility of migratory birds. The Gerson lab takes an integrative approach to understanding the challenges of migration in birds. Through investigation at multiple levels of organization, from the cellular level to the organismal level, we aim to better understand the mechanistic basis, flexibility, and limitations of the physiological response of migratory birds to long duration flight and subsequent refueling. The chosen candidate will have the opportunity to investigate the mechanisms of lean mass loss and recovery and the consequences to whole animal physiology using a multi-omics approach.
Essential Functions
- Perform lab and field based experiments investigating physiological and molecular changes during flight and refueling in migratory birds.
- Publish research findings in a timely manner.
- Engage with the lab group to promote a culture of success.
- Mentor and train lab personnel.
- Assist in maintaining a functional, safe, and compliant lab.
Other Functions
- Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork.
- Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- A PhD in organismal physiology or related field.
- Have experience with any of the following: animal energetics and physiology, tissue level physiology, molecular biology, mitochondrial energetics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, field research.
- Excellent project management skills, data management and analysis experience, problem solving skills, the ability and willingness to lead and organize a large research effort, and will work productively and enthusiastically with others.
- A strong track record of academic publishing
- Experience with bioinformatics highly desirable.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Animal handling and experience with birds in the field and lab.
- Bird banding or field handling.
- Experience in metabolic measurement, organismal performance assessment, organ level physiology, mitochondrial energetics.
- Experience in laboratory molecular or biochemical techniques.
- Strong data analysis skills.
- Strong project management skills.
- Ability to lead a team.
- Bioinformatics skills or experience with transcriptomics and/or metabolomics.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Willingness to spend up to 2 months per year in the field.
- Although based in Amherst MA, a significant amount of time may be spend in the field each year.
Additional Details
- Initial appointment will be for one (1) year, with possible extension based on satisfactory performance.
Work Schedule
- Standard work schedule applies (M-F 9:00am - 5:00pm), but willingness to work unusual hours during experiments.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Review of applications will begin on August 2, 2025, but the position will remain open until filled.
At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.