Postdoctoral Research Fellow - NASA Project

Bowie State University; Bowie (MD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to support a NASA-funded hydroponics and aquaponics project. This role involves conducting innovative research on microbiomes and the genomics of bananas and plantains, utilizing cutting-edge techniques like CRISPR. The successful candidate will lead laboratory activities, supervise students, and contribute to the Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) program. Join a vibrant academic community dedicated to advancing agricultural science and making impactful contributions to sustainable practices. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of research and education, fostering the next generation of scientists.

Benefits

Tuition remission

Medical/vision plans

Dental insurance

Prescription coverage

Life insurance

Paid sick leave

Annual leave

10 paid holidays per year

Training and development

Supplemental retirement

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant field preferred with experience in molecular techniques.
• Strong skills in CRISPR and plant genomics essential for the role.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate microbiome research and lab activities for CURE.
• Conduct research on bananas and plantains using tissue culture techniques.
• Supervise students and assist in gene editing technology development.

Skills

Molecular Biology

Cell Biology

Genetics

Plant Breeding

CRISPR/Cas9 technology

Gene cloning

PCR

Bioinformatics

Agrobacterium transformation

Data analysis with R

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Genetics, or Plant Breeding

Tools

CRISPR technology

R-package

Job description

Posting Details Job Posting Information

Job Posting Number: S532

Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow - NASA Project

Class Title: Staff

Regular or Contingent: II Contingent II (more than 6 mos)

Desired Start Date:

FLSA: Exempt

Salary Range: $45,000 - $50,000

Open Date: 11/14/2023

Close Date: Open Until Filled

Yes

Duties and Responsibilities

PURPOSE: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow will support a NASA funded hydroponics and aquaponics project with emphasis on microbiome research in the Bowie State University Genomics, Conservation and Crop Improvement laboratory. The selected candidate will also participate in Banana and Plantains Genomics research and will provide needed support for the Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) program.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will undertake the following activities in all project target areas:

1. ‘Research Educator/Teacher’ responsible for coordinating all microbiome research and hands-on laboratory activities associated with Course Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE).
2. Conduct research on multiplication of bananas and plantains using micropropagation/tissue culture techniques.
3. Conduct hydroponics and aquaponics projects and research with the aim to understand the microbiomes, their role and the nature of microbiome interactions in hydroponic and aquaponics Systems.
4. Supervise Undergraduate and Graduate Research and Teaching Assistants (URA, UTA, GRA, GTA) for maximum performance in the plant genomics laboratory and the CURE program.
5. Develop an effective gene editing technology for the manipulation of the genome of bananas and plantains for resistance to abiotic and biotic challenges with special focus on creating drought resistant varieties to combat global warming impact in Africa through the use of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology.
6. Compile technical reports for publication of results in peer reviewed journals.
7. Perform any other task assigned by the Principal Investigator (PI).

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Genetics, Plant Breeding or related field preferred.

Experience

• Experience commensurate with job duties.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Skills of preparing culture media (growth media, growth regulators, Murashige and Skoog (MS) media) for mass and rapid multiplication of bananas and plantains using suckers.
• Competent in applicability of multiplying bananas and plantains using micropropagation of tissue culture techniques for mass production and maintenance of Musa species within Bowie State University.
• Competent in the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology for gene editing, prediction and development of abiotic (e.g. drought) and biotic (e.g. Banana bunchy top virus-BBTV) resistant phenotypes in different genomic groups in the genus Musa species.
• Gene cloning, PCR, sequencing, and other bioinformatics related techniques that assist in achieving the set goals.
• Designing amplifiable and specific markers to target a gene of interest.
• Ability to utilize transformation with Agrobacterium or electroporation or bombardment methodology.
• Be able to use R-package and other tools for data analyses, interpretation and reporting.
• Proven track record of scientific publications in high quality peer reviewed scientific journals.
• Proactive, innovative and independent problem solver and excellent team player.
• Supervision of students (undergraduates, MSc-students, co-supervise PhD researchers).
• Excellent communication skills, able to interact with a multi-cultural team of researchers.
• Ability to deal with high workload and capacity to work under challenging situations.
• Knowledgeable in troubleshooting.
• Skills in grant and research proposal writings.

Conditions of Employment

Please be advised, COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged but not required for faculty and staff to be employed at Bowie State University. This protocol is subject to change.

Non-Union Position.

Bowie State University offers an excellent benefits package! This includes tuition remission, including eligible dependents, choice of medical/vision plans, Carefirst BC/BS, United Health Care and Kaiser plans, dental, prescription, life insurance, and training and development.

This position is grant-funded. Employment is subject to available funding. Other Benefits include medical, dental, prescription, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and life insurance; paid time for paid sick leave and annual leave; 10 paid holidays per year, tuition remission and supplemental retirement.

Applications must include cover letter which should address how the background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for AND three professional references (including contact information).

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