Equal Opportunity

The Amend Lab is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to an inclusive scientific research environment. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds and perspectives to contribute to our shared mission of understanding life in extreme environments.

The Amend Laboratory sits at the intersection of deep subsurface microbiology, bioenergetics, and the origins of life. Research in the group examines how microbes survive and thrive in extreme continental and marine environments, from deep-sea hydrothermal systems to the terrestrial subsurface biosphere. By studying the thermodynamics and kinetics of microbial metabolism, the lab seeks to understand the energy constraints that shape life in the deep Earth and what those constraints reveal about how life might emerge and persist elsewhere in the universe. This astrobiology-driven perspective connects fundamental questions about carbon cycling and microbial community dynamics to broader planetary science.

Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scholars in the lab work across disciplines that span geochemistry, microbiology, and evolutionary biology. The group values rigorous field work, careful laboratory experimentation, and quantitative modeling as complementary approaches to understanding microbial ecosystems. Many projects involve collaborations with national and international partners, including ocean drilling programs and deep mine observatories. The lab also maintains strong ties to the Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations, which coordinates research on life beneath the seafloor. This network gives early-career scientists access to diverse expertise, shared instrumentation, and opportunities to contribute to large-scale, multi-institutional science initiatives.

Beyond individual research projects, the lab is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive community. Weekly meetings, journal clubs, and informal seminars keep members connected and engaged with the latest developments in microbial geochemistry and related fields. Senior researchers mentor junior scientists in everything from experimental design and data analysis to scientific writing and career planning. The lab also participates in outreach activities that bring subsurface microbiology to broader audiences, including public lectures, classroom visits, and science communication efforts. These activities reflect a belief that curiosity-driven research thrives when it is shared openly and generously across generations of scientists.

Prospective students and collaborators interested in joining the group are encouraged to reach out with their research interests and background. The lab welcomes inquiries from individuals with training in geochemistry, microbiology, environmental science, or related quantitative disciplines. Because the research is inherently interdisciplinary, the group values intellectual flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to engage with problems that span traditional academic boundaries. Whether pursuing a graduate degree, a postdoctoral position, or a collaborative research project, visitors to the lab will find a dynamic environment where deep questions about life's limits and origins are tackled with energy, rigor, and mutual respect.