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USDA-ARS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Plant Genetics and Biotechnology: California
Job Description
- Agency
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Location
- Albany, California
- Job Category
- Post Doctoral Appointments
- Salary
- The current stipend for this opportunity is equal to $75,000 - $85,000 per year.
- Last Date to Apply
- 01/05/2024
- Website
- https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-PW-2023-0337
- Description
- *Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis. ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), within the Crop Improvement and Genetics Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center in Albany, California. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence. Research Project: The overall project goals are to develop and analyze how modification of the brassinosteroid pathway in wheat can improve various abiotic stresses (Milner et al; Communications Biology 5, 193, 2022). Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be trained on applying genome editing technology to knock out target genes to generate novel mutant lines with enhanced agronomic traits in wheat. The participant will design guide RNAs for knocking out via CRISPR/Cas9, use molecular cloning technique to build plasmid vectors for transformation, generate transgenic plants using a high efficient wheat transformation system, and characterize edited mutant lines to understand how the loss of various genes plays a role in abiotic stress. The participant will also assist in analyzing wheat lines under greenhouse and possibly field conditions, crossing and backcrossing various wheat lines to develop near-isogenic lines for genetic mapping of important traits associated with plant resilience to abiotic stresses. Learning Objectives: As the result of this training, the participant will improve skills in molecular cloning, plant tissue culture, Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation, and phenotyping traits with various sequencing technologies. Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Yong Gu (yong.gu@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor. Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 1, 2023. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors. Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds. Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time. Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The current stipend for this opportunity is equal to $75,000 - $85,000 per year. Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation. ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.ARS.PacificWest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
- Qualifications
- The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Plant Biology, Plant Breeding), or currently be pursuing the degree to be received by start of appointment. Preferred Skills include: Experience in molecular biology including sequencing techniques, various forms of cloning, RNA-Seq, and a basic understanding of plant physiology and plant nutrition is preferred. Bioinformatic skills related the analysis of genomic data and the ability to learn new processes on the fly. Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience with CRISPR in wheat. An independent researcher with great interpersonal skills to collaborate with a diverse team is preferred. A successful track record of written and oral communication.
- Contact Person
- ORISE.ARS.PacificWest@orau.org
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