Postdoctoral Fellow in Heterosis Studies

Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/12/2011 - 19:08

Postdoctoral Fellow in Heterosis Studies

Job Description:

Hybrids between genetically diverse varieties display enhanced growth, and increased total biomass, stress resistance and grain yield. Gene expression and metabolic studies in maize, rice and other species suggest that protein metabolism plays a role in the growth differences between hybrids and inbreds. The existing theories of dominance, overdominance and epistasis are useful to explain some of the observations of heterosis but not all. Heterosis is observed in a wide variety of different species and is likely to share a common underlying biological mechanism.   The Postdoctoral Fellow will work as part of a group led by Stephen Goff and includes bioinformaticists and technicians.  We are seeking a skilled molecular biologist committed to understanding gene expression, cell biology, and developing further evidence for a novel model of hybrid vigor.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Use genome wide analysis of gene expression differences in hybrids and their inbred parents
  • Carry out molecular biology procedures such as DNA and RNA isolation, preparation of constructs and generation of transgenic yeast to study gene expression
  • Contribute concepts and planning to influence the direction of the project
  • Contribute to the publication and presentation of research results

Requirements:

  • Demonstrated ability to define, investigate and solve complex problems in plant biology using diverse established experimental procedures and to push the limits of new technologies to get answers to difficult scientific questions.
  • PhD or will shortly satisfy the requirements for a PhD degree in plant molecular biology or a related scientific discipline.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently under minimal supervision while contributing to overall team performance and proven ability to meet performance deadlines during the course of a project.
  • Evidence of good communication skills and ability to publish the results of scientific research in scientific journals.
  • Sound knowledge and demonstrated research experience in modern molecular methodologies, including cloning, PCR, sequence analysis, gene expression and microbial transformation.
  • Strong computational literacy and an aptitude or interest in analysis of molecular datasets.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with using yeast as a model organism in the lab.

Outstanding University of Arizona benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!