Postdoc Scientist: CRISPR-Teff Crop Improvement

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Inc; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join the Optimum Teff project, focusing on improving teff productivity through genome editing and trait stacking. You will design gene-editing constructs, perform CRISPR edits, and phenotypically characterize edited plants in greenhouse and field settings.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to data analysis, reporting, and manuscript preparation in St. Louis, Missouri.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biotech, or closely related field.
• Experience with plant genome editing, genetic transformation, and molecular characterization of edited plants; phenotyping in growth chambers, greenhouses, or fields.
• Scientific publications in peer‑reviewed journals.

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 under greenhouse and field conditions.
• Apply basic bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis and editing validation.
• Organize, analyze, and maintain experimental data and research records.
• Prepare regular progress reports, presentations, and scientific manuscripts.
• Independently plan and execute experiments and communicate results to supervisors and collaborators.

Skills

CRISPR/Cas

Molecular biology

PCR

Bioinformatics

Data analysis

Independent researcher

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Plant Molecular Biology/Genetics/Biotech

Tools

Vector construction

CRISPR design tools

Job description

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join the Optimum Teff project, focusing on improving teff productivity through genome editing and trait stacking. You will design gene-editing constructs, perform CRISPR edits, and phenotypically characterize edited plants in greenhouse and field settings.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to data analysis, reporting, and manuscript preparation in St. Louis, Missouri.