Careers in the Plant Sciences

Postdoctoral Scholar

University of California, Berkeley - Berkeley, CA, USA

Position Title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Position Type: Post-Doctoral Position
Application Review Begins: Friday, April 05, 2024
Application Deadline: Sunday, May 05, 2024
Institution: University of California, Berkeley
Department/Division: Plant & Microbial Biology
Field (e.g., systematics): Plant Ecological Genomics
City: Berkeley, CA, USA
General Information: The Plant & Microbial Biology Department at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Blackman Lab, in the area of plant ecological genomics, at 100% time, with an anticipated start in summer or fall 2024.

Applying tools from evolutionary genomics, molecular genetics, and field ecology in sunflowers and monkeyflowers, our research addresses the following questions: How do plants cope with daily and seasonal environmental fluctuations? How and why do these responses evolve along environmental gradients? How are multi-trait adaptations assembled over evolutionary time?

The postdoc will contribute to current NSF-funded work in the lab that seeks to understand the diversity of mechanisms by which natural populations of monkeyflowers have adapted to historic and contemporary drought stress using a combination of population genomics, transcriptomics, resurrection experiments, and genome editing. The aims of the position will be tailored to the expertise of the successful applicant and complement the Blackman Lab's broad interests in the genetic basis of adaptation and domestication, the ecology and evolution of plant development, and mechanisms of organism-environment interaction.

Appointment:
The initial appointment will be at 100% time for two years with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Salary and Benefits:
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and based on UC Berkeley Postdoctoral salary scale.
Generous benefits are included https://vspa.berkeley.edu/postdocs

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Qualifications/Requirements: Basic Qualifications
(By application date):
PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program.

Additional Qualifications
(By start date):
PhD (or equivalent international degree) required by the appointment start date.
No more than 2 years of post-degree research experience by start date.

Preferred qualifications
-Demonstrated expertise in evolutionary and ecological genomics.
-Expertise in analysis of genomic or transcriptomic datasets.
-Programming for bioinformatics, biostatistics, image analysis, machine learning.
-Plant physiological ecology, GWAS, genome editing, or gene expression studies.
-Excellent writing and communication skills.
Responsibilities: The postdoc will work closely with the PI, collaborators, and lab personnel to design and lead research in the lab and field on the genetics and ecology of natural variation in drought resistance strategies in the common monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus. The position also involves preparing grant proposals and manuscripts, data management and dissemination, organization and content development for workshops with land managers, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to integrate across biological disciplines, identify and troubleshoot promising new methodologies independently, and use the appointment to develop and pursue novel, exciting questions.
Application Instructions (submission methods, etc.): To Apply:
Visit: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04404

Specific questions regarding the recruitment can be directed to bkblackman@berkeley.edu

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

Reference requirements
3 required (contact information only)

Open date: April 5, 2024

Next review date: Friday, Apr 19, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Web Link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04404
Compensation Range:
Contact Name: Benjamin Blackman, bkblackman@berkeley.edu