POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE: Ecological Genomics of Drought Stress in Prairie Grasses, Kansas State University
We have a position available for a post-doctoral research associate to study the ecological genomics of drought stress. The project will include studies of the responses of natural prairie ecosystems to variation in precipitation using the ecologically dominant prairie grass big bluestem as a model. The work is part of a project funded by the USDA Plant Biology Abiotic Stress program. The project will include common garden transplant experiments and genomic approaches to test for the signature of adaptive genetic differentiation among natural populations of big bluestem across the precipitation gradient of the Great Plains. This specific research assembles investigators with complementary expertise in Plant Ecological Genomics (Johnson www.ksu.edu/johnsonlab, Garrett www.ksu.edu/pdecology), Genomics (Ahkunov [email protected]), Evolutionary Genetics (Morgan http://www.ksu.edu/morganlab) and Restoration Ecology (Baer, SIU www.plantbiology.siu.edu/Faculty/Baer/index.html) to elucidate the response and adaptation of prairie grasses to abiotic stresses. This work will take place in the laboratories of Drs. Johnson, Akhunov, and Garrett and in field sites across the Great Plains, with close collaboration with Drs. Morgan and Baer. There will also be opportunities to interact with other researchers in the context of the KSU Ecological Genomics Institute (www.ecogen.ksu.edu). For this postdoctoral position, we seek candidates with a Ph.D. in the biological sciences with interest in evolutionary and ecological genetics. Preference will be given to individuals with experience in functional genomic approaches, including next-gen sequencing, custom microarray development based on 454 screens, using custom arrays to screen patterns of gene expression among ecotypes in response to drought stress and VIGS techniques. Importantly, applicants should have the interest and willingness to cross disciplines. The successful candidates must be able to design and conduct independent experiments. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work well in a team-based/collaborative research atmosphere are essential. Applications will begin to be reviewed on Aug 15, and will continue until the position is filled. Start date for the post-doctoral position is Sept 6, 2009. A complete application must consist of: 1) A cover letter detailing your qualifications and how they relate to the advertised position. 2) A professional resume 3) Reprints/preprints of publications 4) Names and contact information for three referees Send a complete application package by e-mail to: [email protected] Complete applications can also be mailed to: Doris Merrill, Program Coordinator Ecological Genomics Institute Division of Biology, Kansas State University 104 Ackert Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-4901 Phone: (785) 532-3482 Fax: (785) 532-6653 KSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and actively seeks diversity among its employees. Background check is required.
