Position: Postdoctoral Associate – Zhang Lab

Description: The Zhang Lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri, has an immediate opening for a full-time postdoctoral researcher. This position will participate in a DOE-funded project to investigate the function of some highly conserved but unannotated green lineage proteins by using mostly the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with some follow-up work using the dicot and monocot model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Setaria viridis. The ideal candidate should have great passion for plant science, strong background in molecular biology and genetics. Candidates who have experience with algal/plant biology or stress responses are especially encouraged to apply. For more information about the Zhang lab, please visit our webpage.

Responsibilities:

• Generate algal CRISPR mutants
• Phenotype and screen algal mutants
• Characterize algal genes of interest
• Generate knockout and/or knockdown mutants in Arabidopsis and Setaria
• Characterize Arabidopsis and Setaria mutants to elucidate gene function
• Summarize research results and write related manuscripts
• Other duties as assigned

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Goal oriented individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Able to organize, multitask their time efficiently and work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and interactive research environment
• Effective communication skills and ability to produce high-quality oral and written research products
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship

Qualifications:

• PhD (around 2018-2021, but before the hiring date) in plant biology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or related field

Submission:

• Cover letter clearly describing research interest and career goals
• CV
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center:

Founded in 1998, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Our focus is scientific research at the nexus of food, energy and the environment to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. We assemble interactive teams of scientists and develop unique platforms to discover underlying principles about how plants work. We then convert that knowledge into useful crops and products, and partner with organizations that are best positioned to solve problems where they exist around the world. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is proudly an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions at the Danforth Center are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It is our policy that the Danforth Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin and status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided on this web site, please contact Human Resources, at 314-587-1033 for further assistance.