Postdoctoral Associate - Metabolic Engineering for Crop Improvement (62760)

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If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

The Crop Biotechnology Research Program at University of Florida, headed by Fredy Altpeter ( http://agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/fredy-altpeter/ ) is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate with experience in modular assembly of recombinant DNA constructs, plant genetic engineering, molecular biology and project management to join our team. The research program focuses on designing biomass crops for enhanced productivity and production of value added products using the “plants as factories” concept in collaboration with the recently funded U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Research Center https://cabbi.bio/research/feedstocks-theme/

The successful candidate will apply established transformation and CRISPR-Cas9 protocols to validate targets for crop improvement and develop multiplex genome editing and transgenic strategies for metabolic engineering. Characterization of genetically modified events under controlled environment and field conditions will allow to select best performing events similar in scope to our earlier publications.

Selected publications related to this position:

Parajuli, S., Kannan, B., Karan, R., Sanahuja, G., Liu, H., Garcia‐Ruiz, E., Kumar, D., Singh, V., Zhao, H., Long, S., Shanklin, J., Altpeter, F. 2020 (in press). Towards oilcane: Engineering hyperaccumulation of triacylglycerol into sugarcane stems. Global Change Biology – Bioenergy https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/gcbb.12684

Kannan, B., Jung, J.H., Moxley, G. W., Lee, S.‐M. Altpeter, F. 2018. TALEN mediated targeted mutagenesis of more than 100 COMT copies/alleles in highly polyploid sugarcane improves saccharification efficiency without compromising biomass yield. Plant Biotechn. J. 16: 856–866. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12833/full

Altpeter F. et al. 2016. Advancing Crop Transformation in the Era of Genome Editing. Plant Cell. 28: 1510-1520. http://www.plantcell.org/content/early/2016/06/22/tpc.16.00196.full.pdf+html

Zale, J., J.H. Jung, J.Y. Kim, B, B. Patha, R. Karan, H. Liu, X. Chen, H. Wu, J. Candreva, Z. Zhai, J. Shanklin, F. Altpeter. 2016. Metabolic engineering of sugarcane to accumulate energy-dense triacylglycerols in vegetative biomass. Plant Biotech. J. 14: 661-669. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12411/epdf .

A PhD. in plant molecular biology or related field is required. Extensive background in molecular genetics is essential, including design and construction of multi-gene vectors using modular cloning platforms like Golden Gate assembly, analysis of RNAseq data, plant tissue culture, biolistic gene transfer, molecular and phenotypic characterization of transgenic plants under greenhouse and field environments and statistical analysis of data. Knowledge in plant metabolism, physiology and genomic regulation is desirable. This work requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English as well as excellent writing skills as demonstrated by a strong publication record in peer reviewed journals. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by August 6, 2020. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/77321 and submit:
  • Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to serve as references

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) .

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

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