The Ruff Lab at the MBL Ecosystems Center seeks a postdoctoral researcher (PD) to conduct independent research at the interface of soil microbial ecology, (eco)physiology and biogeochemistry. The overarching goal of the project is to investigate microbial populations and metabolisms that are involved in the production and consumption of soil necromass. Necromass – dead microbial biomass – is an important part of soil organic matter and can be a long-term sink of atmospheric carbon. In this project we seek to understand how microbes and minerals make necromass that persists, which microbial activities produce and consume necromass and how environmental parameters (e.g. mineral content, soil moisture) impact necromass stability. To obtain comprehensive insights the PD will use a co