Institution
Michigan State University
Location
East Lansing, MI, USA
Close Date
Until filled

Description
The small-molecule regulation group led by Dr. Aleksandra Skirycz at Michigan State University seeks a postdoctoral researcher associate with expertise in plant molecular biology and biochemistry. Experience with untargeted metabolomics and compound identification is a plus. The research associate will lead or contribute to projects focused on the identification and functional characterization of novel small-molecule compounds involved in plant growth and stress tolerance and, more generally, organismal health. The starting point of our research is protein-metabolite interaction networks mapped in the group using an array of biochemical approaches and primarily co-fractionation mass-spectrometry.

Qualifications
Minimum Requirements

• PhD degree in plant biology, biochemistry, chemical ecology, or a related field
• Experience in molecular biology and biochemistry, particularly protein work
• Experience in working with plants, particularly Arabidopsis
• Record of publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in analyzing data from multi-omics experiments is a plus
• Experience in metabolomics is a plus
• Record of mentoring experience is a plus
• Attention to detail and good organizational skills
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

For more information, please contact Dr. Aleksandra Skirycz ([email protected]) with the subject line "Questions about Post-doctoral Position 2024 ".

Institution
Michigan State University
Location
East Lansing, MI, USA
Applications Reviews Starting
January 3, 2023
Close Date
Until filled

Description
We seek to recruit a highly motivated and skilled researcher with training in molecular biology, plant genetics, or bioengineering. WALII aims to understand how life continues without water (anhydrobiosis) from the molecular to the organismal levels. The project will leverage recent advances in microscopy, genetics, and physiology to investigate dehydration and desiccation tolerance in Arabidopsis (Theme 2). Successful candidates will investigate how molecules, proteins, and pathways regulate dehydration and rehydration in developing and germinating seeds using an interdisciplinary lens, ranging from biophysics to cell biology and organismal development. The selected candidate will work out of the Rhee Lab at Michigan State University.

About the Water and Life Interface Institute (WALII, pronounced “Wally”): WALII studies how life interacts with water, from the molecular to the organismal level, across plants, fungi, and animals. WALII is a virtual institute, with scientists located at nine research facilities across the United States. Working together, WALII team members aim to uncover the rules by which organisms interact with water, exploring four integrated themes: 1) the physical and molecular determinants that allow organisms to survive in the solid state; 2) rehydration responses in desiccation-tolerant and -sensitive systems; 3) the molecular grammar of desiccation tolerance conferred by intrinsically disordered proteins; and 4) the short- and long-term evolutionary history of desiccation tolerance. WALII team members have diverse expertise, ranging from biophysics to plant biology, and experience with several desiccation-tolerant and -sensitive systems.

Responsibilities

• Leading research independently, preparing publications, and presenting research in scientific meetings. 
• Applying microscopy, genetics, and physiology techniques to investigate dehydration and desiccation tolerance in Arabidopsis. 
• Working closely with collaborators and lab members. 
• Contributing to lab-wide chores, to help foster a productive and positive lab environment. 
• Participating in virtual WALII activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in any of the following areas: molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, bioengineering.
• A track record of research productivity and independence.