We're Looking to Sponsor Postdoc Fellows in AI-Driven Microbial Cultivation
NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology
Are you passionate about using artificial intelligence to unlock the biotechnological potential of Earth’s uncultured microbes? We’re looking to sponsor exceptional postdoctoral fellows for the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB) program. The NSF application deadline is September 29, 2026.
This NSF fellowship program focuses on the intersection of AI and biological sciences to strengthen biotechnology innovations. Fellows develop expertise in both AI methodologies and experimental biology through two years of independent, fellow-driven research. As your sponsor, we can provide the research environment, mentorship, and resources to support your vision.
Research Alignment
Proposals that would align well with our lab’s expertise involve using AI to understand how to culture currently uncultured microbial lineages. This could include extremophiles with biosynthetic or bioengineering capacity that transform waste streams into consumer or industrial products, operate at environmental extremes, or contribute to the circular economy in other innovative ways.
We’re interested in sponsoring candidates who have experience using and training AI tools to screen existing databases (genomic, physiologic, metabolic) and who can design new experiments to inform and refine AI models. The approach we envision creates feedback loops: AI predictions guide cultivation strategies, experimental results validate and improve the models, and iterations accelerate discovery of microbes we can’t currently grow but whose genomic potential suggests biotechnological applications.
What We Offer as Your Sponsor
Research Infrastructure: The Arizona Culture Collection provides thousands of bacterial isolates as potential training datasets and validation resources. Our lab maintains both anaerobic and aerobic cultivation capabilities, including high-throughput flow cytometry. Through University of Arizona core facilities, you’ll have access to cell sorting, PacBio, Nanopore, and Illumina sequencing, and comprehensive microscopy facilities. These resources provide experimental capacity to test AI-driven predictions and generate high-quality training data.
Structured Mentorship: We use Individual Development Plans (IDPs) to provide individualized mentorship focused on your career vision. Through biannual meetings, we create space to step back from day-to-day work and ensure you’re making progress toward your bigger picture goals. This isn’t performance evaluation—it’s about understanding your vision for your career and helping you achieve it. You’ll have opportunities to mentor undergraduate researchers, developing your own mentorship voice while accomplishing your project goals.
Collaborative Environment: You’ll be part of the BIO5 Institute community and broader University of Arizona research ecosystem, with connections to computational scientists, biotechnology researchers, and potential collaborators. The university offers extensive professional development through Postdoctoral Affairs and the Postdoctoral Association. If you move into an academic position after your fellowship, the microbes, resources, and techniques you develop can go with you to seed your independent career—no strings attached.
Lab Culture: We’re committed to inclusive excellence and supporting diverse perspectives in science. We value productive self-starters who take action. People with clear opinions who can commit to a direction even with disagreement, and scientists who ensure everyone is heard. We expect 40 hours of work per week with a mindful ramp-up period, direct feedback, and a team that shows up for each other. We want you to have a sustainable, healthy relationship with your work.
About You
You’ll have experience with machine learning approaches, database mining, experimental design optimization, or related AI technologies. You’ll bring your own vision for how to apply these tools to fundamental questions in microbial cultivation with biotechnological impact. You’ll have defended your doctoral degree before the fellowship start date and demonstrate strong communication skills and commitment to independent problem-solving.
Important Notes on Eligibility
Please note that there may be limitations in the NSF PRFB program for international candidates. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident, i.e., have a “green card,” at the time of submission. You’ll need to evaluate your eligibility independently by reviewing the program guidelines at the link below.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in developing a proposal for this opportunity:
email me (paulcarini (at) arizona . edu) a 200-400 word summary of your proposed work. This should outline your vision, how AI and experimental microbiology would intersect in your approach, and how our lab specifically can help you accomplish your vision.
After reviewing your summary, we’ll evaluate whether your proposed research aligns with our program expertise and reply to let you know if I can serve as your sponsor with brief feedback. Remember—this is your fellowship and your research program. We’re here to provide the environment, mentorship, and support to help you succeed.
Contact: Paul Carini (paulcarini (at) arizona . edu)