Research Associate - Conover Lab

DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER • Olivette, MO

6d

About The Position

The Conover Lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is seeking to hire a Research Associate to join a new group broadly interested in evolutionary genomics, with a focus on the effects of whole genome duplication (polyploidy). The Conover Lab is a newly established lab at the Danforth Center and has a variety of new and ongoing projects to which the Research Associate would be able to contribute in meaningful ways.

Requirements

• Committed to organization, detailed recordkeeping, and communication, with the ability to work collaboratively within an interactive research environment
• Practical, independent (supervised or unsupervised) experience in basic molecular biology and molecular genetics methods, including DNA and RNA extraction, library preparation, and quality control
• Works under minimal supervision, and accomplishes assigned goals within expected time frames
• May organize, train, assign, direct, and check the work of lower-level employees
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to collaborate with team members, take initiative, and demonstrate creative problem-solving skills
• Live the Danforth Center Values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship
• B.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or related field
• Cover letter that clearly describes background, relevant experience, and career goals (no more than 2 pages)
• Updated Resume/CV
• Contact Information for three (3) professional references

Nice To Haves

• Ability to design, analyze, troubleshoot, and optimize laboratory protocols and instrumentation, especially procedures and equipment used in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and/or plant biology research
• Openness to learning bioinformatics techniques, including the analysis of population-level sequencing data, genome assembly, and developing simulations for population-level sequencing data

Responsibilities

• Plant care in growth chambers and greenhouse space, including seed germination, making crosses, and creating and maintaining detailed laboratory notebooks of crosses and other relevant records
• Apply molecular biology techniques for inducing and verifying polyploidy in seedlings (e.g. flow cytometry. microscopy)
• Apply molecular biology techniques for DNA and RNA extraction, quantification, and quality control
• Phenotyping of plants on various platforms, including those measuring photosynthetic traits and general plant health
• Learn new techniques and ideas, seek out and review relevant scientific literature and methods, and be open to carrying out other scientific and laboratory duties as required
• Follow safety protocols, carry out routine lab and equipment maintenance, and carefully and precisely maintain electronic research records
• Other duties and assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees