Postdoctoral Research Associate on Genome Editing in Horticultural Crops

Position Overview

As part of the Land Grant University, the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University is composed of over 40 faculty that direct a varied portfolio of programs in teaching, research, and extension. Collectively, these strengths not only serve our clientele and our science but also provide a rich environment for graduate education and training that can be tailored to the specific career interests of the student, irrespective of whether they prefer training in the basic sciences or are preparing for a career in extension. Our education and research programs provide graduate and undergraduate students with unique hands-on learning opportunities using the latest technologies. Entomology and Plant Pathology houses the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, the Larry Grand Mycological Herbarium, Micropropagation and Repository Unit, Structural Pest Management Training Facility, an Insect Museum with 1.9 million vouchered insects, and the Center for Integrated Fungal Research. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses 12 Academic departments with 294 faculty, 2,891 undergraduate students and 899 graduate students. The College is home to 18 research stations strategically located across the state that enhances our interactions with our farmers, stakeholders, and industry partners. Our strategic plan, Growing Our Future 2023-2030 is accessible here https://units.cals.ncsu.edu/cals-strategic-plan/.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Initiate the new Genome Editing Center at NCSU by leading one of the first projects at the center and helping to establish its fundamental capabilities.
• Execute a project on Sweet potato nematode resistance research which aims to deliver a novel trait to a commercial product that will significantly enhance the performance of sweet potatoes in North Carolina.
• Genome editing trait design (in partnership with the head of the genome editing center)
• Vector cloning, agrobacterium transformation, vector quality control and agrobacterium colony prep
• Pioneering of sweetpotato transformation at the center, including implementing a protocol and generating the first stably transformed events. Subsequently, 'fixation' of a routine sweetpotato transformation platform
• Delivery of hundreds of stably transformed and edited events with characterization of the modified, edited and/or cisgenic alleles
• Development of molecular assays to detect the resistance alleles in combination with the Genomic Sciences Laboratory (which is also based in the Plant Sciences Building in the lab next door)
• Testing for nematode resistance in coordination with collaborators (nematologists)
• Possibly managing a student or contractor to help execute the transformation and genetic characterization
• Execution of the project plan and delivery of the plants for phenotypic analysis (T1 and T2 generations).
• Interpretation and communication of the results to the head of the genome editing center
• Leadership of project meetings with the collaboration team to update the company on the progress
• Publishing the results in coordination with the team

Requirements and Preferences

• Ph.D. in a relevant field (Genetics, Biology, Plant Biology, Biotechnology, etc.)
• Experience doing independent research in molecular biology and plant transformation
• Demonstrated excellent work ethic, focus and motivation to succeed

• 5+ years of experience in molecular biology and/or plant transformation
• 3+ years of experience successfully leading projects (may be an independent research project)
• 1+ years of industry experience with demonstrated success executing protocols faithfully
• Interest and/or experience in genome editing technology and breeding technology topics such as doubled haploids, hybridization, male sterility, double fertilization, ploidy, etc.
• Desire to be in a situation where there is already a clear plan and set of protocols that need to be executed
• Highly motivated individual who strives for excellence and wants to be a part of a winning team
• Comfortable in a professional work setting, with punctuality and good communication skills
• Clearly communicates challenges and seeks out support and guidance as needed

• Valid NC Driver’s License