Institution
University of Missouri-Columbia
Location
Columbia, MO, USA
Apply By
Review of applications will begin November 15, 2023
Close Date
Until filled

Description
The University of Missouri-Columbia, Bond Life Sciences Center invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate position in plant single-cell computational biology in the Libault Lab. This 12-month (calendar year), full-time (1.0 FTE) special appointment will focus on expertise bioinformatics, computational biology, machine learning, and plant genomics. The apportionment is 100% research.

The Libault lab seeks to explore and understand the network of plant genes, and their regulation in response to environmental stress at the single-cell level. These discoveries will lead to the development of new strategies to improve crop characteristics and performance. Therefore, using single-cell-omics datasets, the postdoctoral associate will work on genomics, epigenetics, and/or bioinformatics/computational biology to characterize and functionally validate plant cell-type-specific transcriptional programs, their regulation in response to environmental stresses, and their differential regulation between plant species.

The selected postdoctoral researcher will have opportunities to work and develop computational resources to conduct:

• Comparative analyses of gene expression between crop species.
• Analyses of plant single-cell-omics datasets, integration of multiomic datasets, transcriptomic trajectories, and prediction of gene networks.

Qualifications
A PhD in plant computational biology/genomics, bioinformatics, machine learning, or a related field is required at the time of hiring.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

• Prior knowledge and demonstrated expertise in next-generation sequencing data analysis, computational systems biology, and/or data integration, excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to work in a team environment.
• A solid knowledge of plant genomics, evolution, gene expression/regulation, and biological networks.
• Persuasive communicators with exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Durable skills such as leadership, character, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, metacognition, mindfulness, growth mindset, and fortitude as well as customer service, confidentiality, integrity, and a commitment to the University’s values.