Nature and Purpose

In direct collaboration with the Principal Investigator(s), this position will be involved in studying molecular basis of root cell type differentiation in tomato.

Research (85%)

As a member of the research team, work will include CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing analyses phenotypic analyses using microscopy (flouorescence imaging, histochemistry, sectioning, microdissection) and quantification using Image J, PCR, gel electrophoresis, primer design, sterile technique, plant maintenance in tissue culture, the green house, and growth chambers. The junior specialist will also take the lead on a field experiment under direction of a senior member of the lab. Additional duties include preparation of solutions and media. Also, the candidate is expected to develop experimental designs and protocols to successfully implement them while following strict quality assurance and safety guidelines, record data clearly and completely on paper datasheets and Excel spreadsheets, test hypotheses using statistical techniques including the use of ANOVAs and t-tests and generate graphs and summary tables for presentations and publications.

Professional Competence (10%)

The Junior Specialist is expected to work semi-independently with oversight from the principal investigator, Assistant Project Scientist and postdocs. The candidate is expected to participate in design of the experimental plan and individual experiments. The candidate will keep a detailed laboratory notebook/digital notebook including experimental methods and results. The candidate will assist in preparing data figures and tables and summary of results for progress reports.

University and Public Service (5%)

The Junior Specialist will participate in training undergraduate students and present research data in lab meetings and department retreats.

1. Baccalaureate degree in Plant Biology, Genetics/Genomics or Molecular Biology.
2. Background in plant genetics and development.
3. Experience in extraction, purification and manipulation of nucleic acids from bacteria and eukaryotes (plant preferred).
4. Experience in PCR and plasmid-based manipulations for gene and vector assembly.
5. Experience in mRNA isolation, characterization and expression analysis.
6. Experience with ImageJ
7. Experience with anatomy including microdissection, histochemistry, fluorescence imaging, sectioning and microscopy.
8. Competence in basic bioinformatics tasks, such as sequence analysis, primer design for PCR and gene assembly.
9. Knowledge of sequencing methods.
10. Good quantitative skills.
11. Knowledge and skills working with Microsoft suite (Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint) for information outreach, data management and summation.
12. Skills to carry out experiments with close attention to detail and limited supervision.

• 3 required (contact information only)

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