Postdoctoral Associate/Research Scientist - Plant Transformation Facility
DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER
Summary
The Plant Transformation Facility is seeking a highly motivated tissue culture, plant and/or protoplast transformation postdoctoral researcher/research scientist to work on developing new plant transformation systems in recalcitrant crop species. The candidate will be responsible for developing plant transformation protocols, innovating on molecular designs and developing novel methods to regenerate plants.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Molecular construct design and cloning, including vectors for transformation and genome editing
- Experimental design to test transformation and regeneration capacity (tissue culture and/or protoplast)
- Complete multiple transformation experiments per week
- Coordinate and track multiple germplasm lines across concurrent projects
- Analyze and interpret experimental data and troubleshoot protocols
- Document optimized protocols and prepare reports for collaborators
- Contribute to manuscripts, grant proposals, and scientific presentations
- Train and supervise technicians or students
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Hands-on experience with plant tissue culture and regeneration
- Proficiency in molecular cloning and construct design
- Experience with Agrobacterium-mediated, biolistic, and/or protoplast-based transformation
- Ability to design experiments, analyze data, and troubleshoot independently
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple experiments at once
- Good communicator with ability to work within a team
- Maintain clean and organized work environment
- Generate and maintain clear and accurate records of work undertaken
Qualifications
- PhD or PhD and 2-3 years of experience
Requirements
- PhD or PhD and 2-3 years of experience
- Hands-on experience with plant tissue culture and regeneration
- Proficiency in molecular cloning and construct design
- Experience with Agrobacterium-mediated, biolistic, and/or protoplast-based transformation
- Ability to design experiments, analyze data, and troubleshoot independently
- Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple experiments at once
- Good communicator with ability to work within a team
- Maintain clean and organized work environment
- Generate and maintain clear and accurate records of work undertaken
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.