The Bart lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is seeking to fill a postdoctoral research position. We recently described a novel virus resistance locus from cassava, an important food security crop for millions of people (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31414-0). This position will continue that work using various plant, virus, and experimental systems to investigate the mechanism of resistance. The successful applicants will join an enthusiastic team and have opportunities for both independent and collaborative research.

To learn more about the Bart Lab, visit our webpage.

Responsibilities:

• Developing novel experiments and experimental methods in the lab to assess plant-virus interactions
• Maintain precise records of research findings and the analysis of results
• Integrate data across multiple experimental platforms
• Write reports as required, communicate findings, and prepare manuscripts for publication
• Mentor others and work collaboratively in the lab to learn and aid in other projects
• Work collaboratively as part of a team, and mentor graduate and/or undergraduate students as appropriate
• Present research at professional meetings

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Able to organize, multitask time efficiently and work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and interactive research environment
• Effective writing and communication skills, meticulous record keeping
• Understanding of programming tools to handle large datasets and with thinking quantitatively, additional training in these disciplines will be provided as needed
• Knowledge in molecular biology, virology, plant genetics and using programming languages such as R, python and/or other integrative computational methods for data analysis
• Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship

Education Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Biology, Microbial Biology or related field

Submission:

• Cover letter that describes past research experience and future interests within the Bart Laboratory
• CV
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center:

Founded in 1998, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Our focus is scientific research at the nexus of food, energy and the environment to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. We assemble interactive teams of scientists and develop unique platforms to discover underlying principles about how plants work. We then convert that knowledge into useful crops and products, and partner with organizations that are best positioned to solve problems where they exist around the world. The Centers work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and from charitable donations from individuals, companies and foundations.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is proudly an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions at the Danforth Center are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. As a federal contractor, the Danforth Center is required to comply with the 2021 Executive Order mandating full vaccination status of employees by December 8, 2021 unless the employee is legally entitled to an accommodation due to physical disability or sincerely held religious belief. It is our policy that the Danforth Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin and status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities.