Post Doc Research Assoc in Evolutionary & Systems Biology of Plants

Lubbock

41684BR

Plant and Soil Science

Position Description

Performs specialized Post Doctoral work in the planning, conducting and/or supervision of original research. Responsible for participating in a research project associated with PhD studies and the interpretation of the results of publication. Work is performed under supervision of graduate faculty members with evaluation based on accomplishment of assigned objectives and overall effectiveness of project. May supervise research and student assistants.
* The initial appointment is for one year, renewable based on performance and project continuation.
* Competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
* Opportunities for professional development and industry interaction.

About the University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the "Hub City" because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock's Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

About the Department and/or College

DAVIS COLLEGE
Davis College includes the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources Management, Plant and Soil Science, and Veterinary Sciences along with multiple research centers and institutes. The College has over 100 tenure-track faculty, 2747 undergraduate and 519 graduate students, numerous other staff employees, and generated approximately $16 million in extramural research funding.
The Department:
The PSS Department is a comprehensive academic unit conducting research and offering coursework and programs in several areas of plant and soil sciences. There are 36 full-time faculty members and a student body consisting of approximately 180 undergraduate and 140 graduate students. B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. level degrees are offered in Plant and Soil Science. Additionally, distance education courses and four certificate programs are offered. The department is research-intensive, while fostering strong teaching expectations and commitments. Students in the department are educated to meet the challenge of using soil, water, and plant resources for sustainable production and environmental quality.

Major/Essential Functions

We invite applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to support research in evolutionary biology, molecular and systems biology, and functional genomics of plants and microalgae. This position is available immediately and is renewable annually, contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding availability.
The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research program focused on understanding the evolution and plasticity of gene/genome architecture, and the diverse molecular mechanisms regulating gene expression across green lineage organisms. Using integrative omics-based approaches, emphasis will be placed on alternative gene regulatory strategies, such as polycistrons, non-canonical promoters, UTR architecture, alternative splicing, RNA stability, and epigenetic control.
Key Responsibilities:
* Conduct research exploring gene architecture, transcriptional regulation, and alternative expression control mechanisms in plants and microalgae.
* Conduct functional validation through genetic transformation and gene editing of plants and microalgae.
* Lead and participate in de novo genome sequencing, assembly, and functional annotation projects.
* Analyze and integrate large-scale multi-omics datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, epigenomics) to model gene regulation and expression dynamics.
* Develop and maintain robust databases for organizing and visualizing sequencing and gene architecture data.
* Collaborate closely with computational biologists, molecular biologists, and biotechnologists.
* Analyze data, prepare reports, and contribute to publications and patents.
* Contribute to scientific writing (manuscripts, reports), presentations, and mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.

Required Qualifications

PhD in area of project specialization. Knowledge of modern research practices, the methods, resources, and standards thereof. Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities. Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions and other outcomes. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with other employees and the public. Ability to plan and allocate the workload of employees, providing direct training and supervision as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

* Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Microbiology, Evolutionary Biology, Systems Biology, or related fields.
* Demonstrated experience in genetic transformation and gene editing in microalgae and plants.
* Experience with genome sequencing (short/long read), assembly, and annotation.
* Experience in programming/scripting languages such as Python, R, or Bash for data analysis and visualization.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Experience working with diverse microalgae or plant species.
* Skills in comparative genomics, regulatory network modeling, and functional annotation pipelines.
* Proficiency in handling and analyzing large-scale sequencing datasets.

Safety Information

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Does this position work in a research laboratory?

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

Required Attachments:

• A cover letter outlining your research interests and qualifications for this position.
• CV including a list of publications, and past and current positions.
• Contact information for three professional references.

Required Attachments

Cover Letter, Professional/Personal References, Resume / CV

Job Type

Full Time

Pay Basis

Monthly

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan.

Travel Required

Up to 25%

Shift

Day

Grant Funded?

Yes

Job Group

Research Staff

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.