Jake McKinlay

NSF GRFP applicants (and mentors): Was your application Returned Without Review and deemed ineligible despite fitting in the allowed topics?
1) Write NSF
2) Write your Congressperson
3) CC us at grfp@grant-witness.us so we can compile + follow up

Details and template at grant-witness.us/grfp-letter

Cutting Indirect Costs for Universities Impacts More Than Research Incoming APS President Pamela Davis-Kean describes the role indirect costs play in the U.S. research landscape and the economies of university communities.

A year ago this week, an Executive Order came out on a Friday afternoon/evening that reduced all indirect costs rate recovery to 15% the following Monday. In this article I discuss what would have happened across the U.S. if this had not been halted. www.psychologicalscience.org/publications...

Resurrected nitrogenases recapitulate canonical N-isotope biosignatures over two billion years - Nature Communications The study shows that nitrogenase enzymes have maintained stable isotope signatures over billions of years, revealing how ancient microbes shaped Earth’s nitrogen cycle and offering a new experimental ...

Our new paper, out today! We resurrected ancient nitrogenases first used by life on Earth 3 billion years ago. We combined synthetic biology and geology & validated their chemical #biosignature in rocks that helps reveal ancient life on Earth!(and beyond!)

Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Excited to share this detailed biophysical study of #PhaseSeparation in the Pyrenoid, an algal microcompartment that fixes a third of the Earth's #CO2 🌏. We combine methods across scales, in vitro 🧪 and in vivo 🦠

Thanks for the very fun collaboration! 🤗
#PlantScience 🌾 #TeamTomo 🔬 #LivingPhysics 🧬🧶

If you are outside Canada and looking to post-doc in Canada, University of Alberta is currently recrutiing Canada Impact + Research Post-doctoral Scholars. Deadline to submit an Expression of Interest is Feb 9th. 🧪

www.ualberta.ca/en/graduate-...

Another product from Dr. Ying-Chih 'Ella' Chuang's time in my lab - bacteria that excrete purines are better equipped to tolerate inhibitory effects of purines, suggesting a physiological basis behind some cross-feeding interactions. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

Grinnell College has openings for two 1-year term positionsto teach microbiology and immunology. More information here:
apply.interfolio.com/179939

I am beyond excited to announce that the Bisson Lab has a new home!!! Starting January 2026, I will join the Biology Department at Indiana University Bloomington as Associate Professor with tenure.

I am actively recruiting scientists across all levels. More in our website: bissonlab.com/join

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Our manuscript on the microbiome of a stingless bee hive is out! 🦠🐝 So excited! Here’s a short thread with some findings, going from the assembly of a consistent multi-kingdom microbiome to discussions on host traits that contribute to it. Please take a look and share : ) rdcu.be/eVNFJ

Dr. Brittany Mazny's paper on evolved formate assimilation needing a CO2-concentrating mechanism is now available in Current Biology with @blasarre.bsky.social, Alekhya Govindaraju, and Barry Stein.

Free access until Jan 28 at: authors.elsevier.com/a/1mF0A3QW8S...

www.cell.com/current-biol...

Our recent collaborative paper is now published in the latest issue of Cell Reports @cp-cellreports.bsky.social accompanied by a cover image highlighting how Bacillus gathers iron in the biofilm for promoting plant growth
www.cell.com/issue/S2211-...

Need a (graduation) gift for a microbiologist?
This is a colorful graphic novel following an E. coli cell through a cholera outbreak. Hand-drawn on paper and manually colored in photoshop.
30% off today
enter 'BOOKGIFT30' at checkout
www.lulu.com/spotlight/ww...

#microsky #mevosky @spp2389.bsky.social

A PhD position is available in my lab to work on:

Emergence and self-organisation of bacterial metabolism in consortia of cross-feeding bacteria.

Please RT

Deadline: 12.11.25

More infos 👇
shorturl.at/rAKAT

A bacterial exotoxin-triggered plant immune response restricts pathogen growth Thoms et al. demonstrate that perception of a bacterial exotoxin allows plants to distinguish between closely related microbiota, which has consequences for rhizosphere microbiome structure and functi...

Excited that our paper was just published! It's a revised version with new insights compared to the preprint. Thanks everyone from the @carahaney.bsky.social Lab!

www.cell.com/cell-reports...

US PhD admissions shrink as fears over Trump’s cuts take hold Some doctoral programmes are admitting no students at all amid uncertainty about federal science funding.

Fewer grad students means less science, but many STEM PhD programs in the US are cutting back on admissions this year due to federal funding uncertainties. Words by me for @nature.com:

www.nature.com/articles/d41...

@emsque.bsky.social @ucsdcooperlab.bsky.social @julieposselt.bsky.social 🧪

Global constraint principle for microbial growth laws
doi.org/10.1073/pnas...

Visiting UT Austin in Integrative Biology and came across this fantastic opportunity for senior grad students in the life sciences.

Are you a recent PhD interested in a postdoc in Canada? Up to 20% of NSERC Postdoc Fellowships (70k/y for 2y) will be awarded to International applicants, who did their PhD outside of Canada. Deadline is 17 October. See: www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etu...

'A Bacterium in Bangladesh' is now available in multiple formats: www.lulu.com/search?contr...
With Appendix: US30, EU29
Appendix-Free: US20, EU19
e-Appendix Only: few $
Posters (US site; EU site pending): sci-hustle.myspreadshop.com

Vibrio natriegens is sensitive to its acidic fermentation products Vibrio natriegens is an emerging bacterial platform for a range of biotechnological applications due to its rapid growth and ease of genetic manipulation. Whereas much has been learned about V. natrie...

Vibrio natriegens cultures are known to grow fast, but fermentative cultures also die fast, reaching extinction in < 12 h. A lack of acid tolerance mechanisms is likely the cause. Preprint now available. Congrats to grad student first-author Nick Haas! www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

I am recruiting a Ph.D. student in microbial ecology, evolution, and systems biology for fall 2026. Please share!
Details: qevomicrolab.org/Documents/Gr...
Apply by October 1 here: forms.gle/38pPS1Ky84HB...

An updated view of metabolic handoffs in microbiomes From the human gut to the deep ocean, diverse microbial communities underpin essential ecosystem processes. Limited understanding of the dynamics and interactions that shape these communities, however...

An updated view of metabolic handoffs in microbiomes

@cp-trendsmicrobiol.bsky.social from @karthik-a.bsky.social

www.cell.com/trends/micro...

Sign the IMPEACH RFK Citizens' Petition to Congress — STAND UP FOR SCIENCE Join with us to sign our Citizens' Petition to the US Congress to choose the people over Trump and Impeach RFK Jr Now!

www.standupforscience.net/rfk-impeachm...
IMPEACH AND REMOVE RFK JR. SIGN HERE. SHARE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW.

I am excited to announce that the position of a senior postdoc (3 +3 years) in the field of theoretical biology is available in my group.

The position provides the opportunity to closely interact with experimentalists and develop own research projects.

Please RT.

Details 👇:
shorturl.at/iiiOv

Kenyon is hiring a TT microbiologist! Please share widely. I’m the search chair & am happy to answer any questions. careers.pageuppeople.com/695/cw/en-us...

Independent Fellowship in Plant-Associated Microbial Interactions | John Innes Centre An exciting opportunity for an Independent Fellowship in Plant-Associated Microbial Interactions has arisen at the John Innes Centre. To read the full job description for this role…

New Independent Fellowship position in Microbiology to launch your lab in our department @johninnescentre.bsky.social (UK). We are conducting a broad search in the area of plant-associated microbial interactions. Message me if you have any questions.

Apply here: www.jic.ac.uk/vacancies/in...

🌟 Exciting news! We’re launching three fully-funded postdoc positions for "New Horizons for Synthetic Phages”

Join us in tackling antimicrobial resistance with cutting-edge synthetic biology + AI bioinformatics. Based at Flinders Uni in vibrant Adelaide.

👇 Read on for details!
#Phage

There is also a version for early career scientists who are seeking postdoc positions: go.bsky.app/8zZNEGV

New faculty member studies how to leverage microbial forces to combat climate change - News The air we breathe is a direct result of the dirt under our feet. Trillions upon trillions of soil bacteria break down organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide and other potent greenhouse gases; photo...

This #EarthDay we are highlighting Rockefeller's Avi Flamholz, who is dedicated to leveraging microbial forces to combat climate change. Understanding how communities of microbes release and absorb carbon will help lead to more accurate climate models. www.rockefeller.edu/news/36919-n...

As Requested - A Starter Pack of PIs in Biology (or adjacent) fields who are recruiting POSTDOCS! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you wish to be added! go.bsky.app/4gbXXR3