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Postgraduate Research Opportunity in Molecular Biology

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Unit located in Urbana, Illinois.
The project aims to identify and understand genetic variation in canopy architecture and photosynthetic traits in soybean and cow pea. Differences in canopy architecture can influence the light environment within a crop canopy and the subsequent rate and efficiency of photosynthesis of leaves. This project will take advantage of diverse collections of soybean and cowpea to characterize differences in canopy architecture in the two crops, and understand the impacts of canopy architecture on leaf and canopy photosynthesis.
Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved with laboratory and field experiments to investigate the genetic basis for variation in leaf architectural traits. The participant will be involved in DNA extraction and sequencing, RNA extraction and gene expression analysis as well as functional analysis of transgenic plants. In the field, the participant will contribute to measurements of canopy architecture in soybean and cowpea. Potential canopy architecture traits that will be investigated in detail include branching, leaf area index, leaf angle, petiole length, light environment within the canopy, leaf reflectance and transmittance. The participant will learn how canopy architecture traits impact the light environment and photosynthetic potential of soybean and cowpea canopies. This research will support transgenic approaches to manipulate photosynthesis, and will help inform strategies to modify crop canopies for optimum photosynthesis.
The participant will collaborate closely with post-doctoral associates, as well as more broadly with other post-docs and professors on the Realizing Improvements in Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project, which broadly aims to model and manipulate photosynthesis to increase crop yields. The participant will participate in RIPE meetings as well as ARS unit meetings. The participant will also have opportunities to participate in outreach through interactions with the University of Illinois, Institute for Genomic Biology.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 15, 2020
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields.
Preferred skills:
  • Familiarity with field work, data collection and organization, and communication with a team of researchers
  • Prior experience working in a plant biology laboratory as well as field experience with row crop agriculture
  • Experience extracting nucleic acids, measuring gene expression and/or biochemical experience in the lab
  • Experience collaborating with a team to accomplish scientific goals
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
For more information about the ARS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.
If you have questions, send an email to USDA-ARS@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (USDA-ARS-2020-0067) in your email.