Postdoc position: molecular biology and physiology of stomata, photosynthesis, and WUE

The Lawson and Leakey groups at the University of Illinois seek creative and energetic applicants for a postdoctoral associate position studying stomata, photosynthesis, and water use efficiency in tobacco. The position will be involved in a collaborative project funded by the National Science Foundation, which involves multidisciplinary teams of physiologists, geneticists, computer scientists, molecular biologists, and social scientists. The Global Center for ‘Alliance for Socially-Acceptable & Actionable Plants’ (ASAP) will exploit natural biodiversity in gene sequences to engineer crops with increased lipid content and greater WUE. This transformational advancement will integrate recent breakthroughs in genetics, protein modelling, synthetic biology, AI and biotechnology, drawing on the expertise of a multi-disciplinary team of scientists from four countries. The positions will offer excellent opportunities for interdisciplinary training and a creative work environment at the Institute for Genomic Biology, which also houses the Department of Energy-funded Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation https://cabbi.bio/ and the Gates Ag One-funded RIPE project (http://ripe.illinois.edu/).

Collaborate with:

• University of Illinois (Urbana, IL)
  
  • Tracy Lawson
    
    • Plant Physiology
    • https://www.tlawsonlab.co.uk/
  • Andrew Leakey
    
    • Integrative Plant Science
    • https://lab.igb.illinois.edu/leakey/
  • Matt Hudson
    
    • Plant Biotechnology & Bioinformatics
    • https://cff.web.illinois.edu/
  • Diwakar Shukla
    
    • Molecular Engineering & Protein Modeling
    • https://shuklagroup.org/
  • Huimin Zhao
    
    • Illinois Biological Foundry for Advanced Manufacturing (iBioFAB)
    • https://biofoundry.web.illinois.edu/
• Stony Brook University (New York, USA)
  
  • John Shanklin
    
    • Lipid Enzymology & Regulation of Lipid Synthesis
    • https://www.bnl.gov/staff/shanklin
• Yamaguchi University (Japan)
  
  • Atsushi Takemiya
    
    • Molecular & Cellular Biology
    • https://www.takemiyalab.org/
• University Of Vaasa (Finland)
  
  • Tommi Lehtonen
    
    • Social Sciences, Business, & Ethics
    • https://www.uwasa.fi/en/person/1041457
• University of Essex (UK)
  
  • George Chryssochoidis
    
    • Consumer Studies & Commercialization of Research
    • https://www.essex.ac.uk/people/CHRYS19108/George-Chryssochoidis
  • Hyerhim Kim
    
    • Marketing
    • https://www.essex.ac.uk/people/KIMHY14207/Hyerhim-Kim
• Oxford University (UK)
  
  • Steven Kelly
    
    • Plant Genomics, Bioinformatics, & Molecular Biology
    • http://www.stevekellylab.com/

Position requirements:

Candidates should have a strong background in molecular genetics or physiology, preferably with a focus on stomata or leaf gas exchange. The successful applicant will be expected to actively engage with a collaborative team using synthetic biology, gene editing and enhanced efficiency transformation strategies to improve the water use efficiency and lipid content of tobacco.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is an equal opportunity employer and offers highly competitive salary and excellent health care benefits. Questions about this position or applications including a letter of application, CV and the names of three referees can be addressed by email to quebede2@illinois.edu.

Position is immediately available, but the start-date is flexible. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.