Postdoctoral Associate - Duguma Lab
DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER
Summary
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join the Optimum Teff project, focused on improving teff (Eragrostis tef) productivity through genome editing and trait stacking approaches. The project aims to develop improved teff varieties with reduced lodging, grain shattering, and enhanced yield potential.
Job description
The successful candidate will conduct research involving gene construct development, CRISPR-based genome editing, molecular and phenotypic characterization of edited plants, and data analysis. The position requires strong organizational skills and the ability to conduct research independently while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
The position is part of the Optimum Teff research project at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, based in St. Louis, Missouri, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR). The successful candidate will work in the Duguma Lab and work closely with national and international project collaborators.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop gene-editing constructs, including guide RNA design and vector assembly.
- Perform CRISPR-based genome editing and molecular characterization of edited plants.
- Conduct phenotypic evaluation of edited plants under greenhouse and field conditions.
- Apply basic bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis, gene identification, and editing validation.
- Organize, analyze, and maintain experimental data and research records.
- Prepare regular research progress reports, presentations, and scientific manuscripts.
- Independently plan and execute experiments and communicate results to supervisors and project collaborators.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Demonstrated experience in molecular biology, including cloning, vector construction, and PCR-based analyses.
- Experience or working knowledge of CRISPR/Cas genome-editing technologies.
- Basic bioinformatics skills, including sequence analysis and guide RNA design.
- Strong organizational, data management, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to conduct research independently with minimal supervision and work effectively in a collaborative environment.
Qualifications
- PhD in Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Genetics, Plant Biology, or a closely related field.
- Preferred experience with plant genome editing, genetic transformation, and molecular characterization of edited plants; phenotyping and trait evaluation in growth chamber, greenhouse, or field settings; and work with cereal crops or other monocot species.
- Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Requirements
- PhD in Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Genetics, Plant Biology, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience in molecular biology, including cloning, vector construction, and PCR-based analyses.
- Experience or working knowledge of CRISPR/Cas genome-editing technologies.
- Basic bioinformatics skills, including sequence analysis and guide RNA design.
- Strong organizational, data management, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to conduct research independently with minimal supervision and work effectively in a collaborative environment.
- Preferred experience with plant genome editing, genetic transformation, and molecular characterization of edited plants.
- Preferred experience with phenotyping and trait evaluation in growth chamber, greenhouse, or field settings.
- Preferred experience with cereal crops or other monocot species.
- Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Company overview
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is the world's largest independent nonprofit research institute dedicated exclusively to plant science. Founded in 1998 in St. Louis, Missouri, the center operates with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science by addressing critical global challenges at the nexus of food security and environmental sustainability. With a $30 million annual operating budget and a $300 million endowment, the center employs 242 staff including 30 principal investigators who conduct cutting-edge research in areas such as crop improvement, renewable fuels, and sustainable agriculture. The organization focuses on increasing agricultural productivity to sustainably feed the growing global population while reducing environmental impact through innovative plant science solutions. Its research spans fundamental plant biology, bioenergy development, and international crop improvement programs targeting staple crops in developing regions.