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Post-Doc Associate-Plant Biotech

Employer
Tuskegee University
Location
Tuskegee, AL

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Administrative Jobs
Institutional & Business Affairs, Auxiliary Services
Position Type
Postdoc
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Posting Date: August 25, 2020 Posting End Date: October 25, 2020

Position: Post-Doctoral Associate, Plant Biotech and Genomics Location: CAENS/GWCAES

Status: Temporary

Special Qualifications
In keeping with the President’s commitment to Tuskegee University demonstrating “Excellence in Every Way”, the ideal Post-Doctoral Associate will possess the willingness to use his or her expertise to assist in the university’s efforts to be a sustainable academic organization committed to excellence.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

  • Tuskegee University Plant Biotech and Genomics Research Lab is seeking a highly motivated scientist to be part of its Sweet potato Genome Editing Group. This Individual will be a key member to accomplish research objectives and deliver genome editing technology to sweet potato. We have been investigating the potential of editing and mutating the pds gene regions, from sweet potato cultivars differing in storage-root and skin colors, via CRISPR/Cas9/sgRNA technology. The genome-edited varieties will then be examined for albinism and possible unintended physiological effects of the editing. We will also measure the stability of the varieties and assess the potential for root and flesh color change through targeted mutation. We will study the potential of the evolution of specific gene expression to overcome disease susceptibility due to specific coding region modification in improving resistance in a hexaploid vegetatively-propagated crop. We have generated disease resistance transgenic sweet potato via stable transformation and plan to utilize CRISPR for further improvement.
  • Designing and implementing in vitro biology experiments to transform elite lines towards improving sweet potato via genomic editing.
  • Providing in-depth technical expertise on transformation technology and molecular analysis
  • Managing projects, actively interacting with collaborators and training students to ensure project milestones are met
  • Maintaining accurate experimental records and performing all activities in compliance with biosafety guidelines.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Integrative Biosciences (IBS) concentrating on plant genetics, plant molecular biology, plant breeding with a molecular background, plant and soil pathology, microbiology, or related fields.
  • A strong background in genome editing using CRISPR, plant-bacteria interactions, effector biology, biotechnology (transgenic), tissue culturing, and Agrobacterium experiences to conduct this genome editing project.
  • Knowledgeable of big data and traditional approach to greenhouse fieldwork.
  • In-depth knowledge on novel-sweet potato transformation and regeneration, and validation for genomic editing
  • Experience with high-throughput genomic screening using CRISPR and RNAi execution applicable to hexaploid sweet potato with unmet challenges in genomic editing technology and product development
  • Direct experience in high-throughput sequencing analysis, experimental design, and interpretation
  • Excellent skills with molecular biology techniques and genetics, and proficient track record in plant transformation
  • Highly motivated, result-oriented, and a good team player with interpersonal skills
  • Proficient in English and strong communication skills to interact with students Self-motivated and drive for excellence Good planning and focus on delivery
  • Excellent scientific capability and a quick learner

Salary

Commensurate with education, training, and experience; Salary is contingent upon outside funding.

The statements contained in this job announcement reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered as an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.

Applications
Applications are available at the following link:
https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/HR/Fillable-TU-EMPLOYMENT-APPLICATION.pdf.

Each applicant, including all current/existing employees, must complete and submit a Tuskegee University employment application, resume/CV, and 3 to 5 letters of reference with detailed contact information. Copies of unofficial transcripts must also be submitted (official transcript(s) will be required upon hire). Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and submit a completed application packet for consideration of the position. The University reserves the right not to fill the position in the event of budgetary or operational constraints.

Completed applications may be mailed or submitted electronically to:
Office of Human Resources
Attn: Employment/Recruitment
1200 West Montgomery Road
101 Kresge Center
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, Alabama 36088
Email Address: employment@tuskegee.edu Fax: 334-724-4319

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Male/Female/Veteran/Disabled
Federal law requires identity and employment eligibility verifications on Form I-9 within three (3) business days of employment.
Must be able to pass a drug screen and background check.

Organization

Working at Tuskegee University

Tuskegee University is an independent and state-related institution of higher education. Its programs serve a student body that is coeducational as well as racially, ethnically and religiously diverse. With a strong orientation toward disciplines which highlight the relationship between education and work force preparation in the sciences, professions and technical areas, Tuskegee University also emphasizes the importance of the liberal arts as a foundation for successful careers in all areas. Accordingly, all academic majors stress the mastery of a required core of liberal arts courses.

Tuskegee University is located in Tuskegee, Alabama, which is 40 miles east of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, and 20 miles west of the city of Auburn, Alabama. It is also within easy driving distance to the cities of Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia.

The academic programs are organized into five colleges and two schools:

(1) The College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences;

(2) The Andrew F. Brimmer College of Business and Information Science;

(3) The College of Engineering;

(4) The College of Arts and Sciences; 

(5) The College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health;

(6) The Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Science; and

(7) The School of Education.

The curricula for these colleges and schools currently offer over 50 degrees including 39 Bachelor's, 13 Master's, 2 Doctor's of Philosophy: one in Materials Science and Engineering, and one in Integrative BioSciences, and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

Graduate instruction leading to the Master's degree and Doctor of Philosophy Degree is offered in three of the five colleges.

The University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); and the following programs are accredited by national agencies: Architecture, Business, Education, Engineering, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, and Veterinary Medicine. Of special note is the fact that Tuskegee University is the only independent, historically black university with four engineering programs that are nationally accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET), the major accrediting body for the engineering sciences. Also, Tuskegee University's Chemistry program is one of only a few among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) that is approved by the American Chemical Society. Furthermore, the Dietetics Program is approved by the American Dietetic Association and the Food Science Program is approved by the Institute of Food Technologists.

Tuskegee University was the first black college to be designated as a Registered National Historic Landmark (April 2, 1966), and the only black college to be designated a National Historic Site (October 26, 1974), a district administered by the National Park Service of the U. S. Department of Interior.

Special features in Tuskegee University's program include: The General Daniel "Chappie" James Center for Aerospace Science and Health Education, honoring America's first black four-star general who was a Tuskegee University graduate, and housing the nation's only Aerospace Science Engineering program at an HBCU; Media Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, with state-of-the-art video up-link and down-link, intra-school communications, audio/visual, graphics, photography and document production; The Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, a state-of-the-art hotel and meeting facility for educational, business and cultural events; The Tuskegee University National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care, a distinctive research, teaching and outreach program that addresses issues of ethics and public policy in the treatment of people of color and rural Americans in health care.

Other special features which enhance the educational and cultural environment of the University include: The Booker T. Washington Monument, "Lifting the Veil," which honors the University's Founder; the George Washington Carver Museum (named for the distinguished scientist who worked at Tuskegee), which preserves the tools and handiwork of Dr. Carver; the Tuskegee Archives, a chief center for information on the challenges, culture and history of Black Americans since 1896; The Tuskegee Airmen's Plaza, commemorating the historic feats of America's first black pilots, who were trained at Tuskegee University; The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Center, and the Center for Continuing Education – a nucleus for continuing adult education.

Over the past 125 years since it was founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, Tuskegee University has become one of our nation's most outstanding institutions of higher learning. While it focuses on helping to develop human resources primarily within the African American community, it is open to all.

Tuskegee's mission has always been service to people, not education for its own sake. Stressing the need to educate the whole person, that is, the hand and the heart as well as the mind, Dr. Washington's school was soon acclaimed--first by Alabama and then by the nation for the soundness and vigor of its educational programs and principles. The solid strength has continued through the subsequent administration of Dr. Robert R. Moton (1915-1935), Dr. Frederick D. Patterson (1935-1953), Dr. Luther H. Foster (1953-1981) and Dr. Benjamin F. Payton (1981-2010). In August 2010, Dr. Charlotte P. Morris assumed the role of Interim President of the University. She is the first female to serve at the helm of Tuskegee University, and only the second Interim President for the institution. Dr. Gilbert L. Rochon served as the 6th president of Tuskegee University from November 1, 2010 to October 19, 2013. Dr. Matthew Jenkins served as Acting President from October 19, 2013 to June 14, 2014. Dr. Brian L. Johnson assumed the role of 7th Tuskegee University President on June 15, 2014.

Tuskegee enrolls more than 3,000 students and employs approximately 900 faculty and support personnel. Physical facilities include more than 5,000 acres of forestry and a campus on which sits more than 100 major buildings and structures. Total land, forestry and facilities are valued in excess of $500 million.

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