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Experimental or computational postdoc position to build Sorghum metabolic networks for modeling

Employer
Carnegie Institution for Science
Location
Stanford, California
Salary
Competitive Salary
Closing date
Nov 7, 2019

Postdoctoral position available starting Sept 15, 2019 in the laboratories of Drs. Sue Rhee and David Ehrhardt at the Carnegie Institution for Science, Department of Plant Biology, to participate in an exciting project (https://dpb.carnegiescience.edu/news/2019/8/carnegie-led-initiative-receives-major-doe-biofuels-research-grant) to generate a cellular view of plant metabolism and use the information to build and test compartmentalized metabolic network models using Sorghum and Brachypodium. This project is part of a large DOE initiative (https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-64-million-research-plants-and-microbes) to expand knowledge of gene function in bioenergy crops.

The scientists will work in a team setting with personnel from Drs. Drs. Markita Landry (UC Berkeley) and Jenny Mortimer (LBNL) labs. Our aim is to first accurately define subcellular locations of enzymes by both experimental and computational approaches, then model the compartmentalized metabolic network under different environmental scenarios. Projects include: 1) developing experimental methods to identify subcellular locations of metabolic enzymes using carbon nanotube-mediated transient expression and confocal microscopy; 2) developing computational methods to accurately predict enzyme locations within the cell by leveraging the experimental data; 3) developing database and visualization infrastructure for making all the data and codes from this project available to the public; 4) developing compartmentalized metabolic network models to study the functions of Sorghum and Brachypodium metabolism in response to changes in water, light, and temperature; and 5) developing flux balance models and performing metabolic flux analyses to optimize the production of lipids, suberin, lignin and starch.

Successful candidates should have demonstrated ability for independent and critical thinking, excellent communication and teamwork skills, and enthusiasm for learning new things. Qualified computational biology candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in bioinformatics, computational biology, plant biology, microbiology, systems biology, biochemistry or a related field, and a strong background in constraint-based metabolic model reconstruction of plants or fungi. Candidates should be proficient in at least one programming language, preferably python and/or perl. Experience in using MATLAB is highly desired. Qualified experimental biology candidates must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in cell biology, plant biology, genetics, microbiology, systems biology, biochemistry or a related field, and a strong background in molecular biology and imaging analysis using confocal microscopy.

Carnegie Institution for Science is an equal opportunity employer. We highly encourage candidates from under represented gender and ethnic groups to apply. All applicants will receive consideration of employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.

Additional information:

The Department of Plant Biology of Carnegie Institution is located on the campus of Stanford University. Carnegie Institution for Science is a private, nonprofit organization engaged in basic research and advanced education in biology, astronomy, and the earth sciences. It was founded and endowed by Andrew Carnegie in 1902 and incorporated by an act of Congress in 1904. Andrew Carnegie conceived the Institution’s purpose to be “to encourage, in the broadest and most liberal manner, investigation, research, and discovery, and the application of knowledge to the improvement of mankind.” The Department of Plant Biology engages in basic research on the mechanisms involved in the growth and development of plants and algae. The Department of Plant Biology is co-located with the Carnegie Department of Global Ecology on a seven-acre site on the campus of Stanford University. The Department of Plant Biology has state-of-the-art facilities for microscopy/imaging and mass spectrometry as well as molecular genetic studies of plants. To learn more about the Department of Plant Biology, visit https://dpb.carnegiescience.edu/

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