Molecular Technician, Plant Sciences

University of Saskatchewan•Saskatoon, SK

2d•CA$24 - CA$33•Onsite

About The Position

The Bennett Lab at the University of Saskatchewan, Department of Plant Sciences is looking for a Molecular Technician to join their diverse group on a fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. The primary purpose of this role is to support highly collaborative and well-funded projects exploring multi-trophic interactions in grassland ecosystems and identifying management interventions that can enhance associated ecosystem services. The group's focus is on understanding how the species and genetic composition of plant assemblages influence soil microbial communities and the consequences of those relationships for multiple ecosystem services, explored through observational studies, and field and greenhouse experiments.

Requirements

MSc in ecology, agriculture, microbiology, soil science, entomology, or another relevant field, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with DNA extraction & purification.
Experience with DNA library preparation for sequencing.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Motivated, reliable, and well-organized individuals able to work in a multi-disciplinary group environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with high throughput extraction protocols.
Experience with long-read sequencing.
Experience with bioinformatics.
Experience with NIR spectroscopy.
Experience with elemental analysis.
Early availability is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Conducting sample processing, primarily for DNA extraction and sequencing library preparation of soil and insect samples.
Conducting other measurements on plant and soil samples (e.g., NIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis).
Coordinating sample collection and pre-processing among multiple research groups.