Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Plant Biochemistry

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Plant Biochemistry

 UBC Okanagan Campus

time type :Full time

posted on: Posted 10 Days Ago

job requisition id: JR12343

Academic

Job Category: Faculty Non Bargaining

Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Plant Biochemistry

Department: UBCO | Research Support Dang | Department of Chemistry | Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science (Thu Thuy Dang)

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Posting End Date

May 16, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Plant BioCoRe Lab

Department of Chemistry, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science

University of British Columbia

Kelowna, BC, Canada

https://plantbiocore.ok.ubc.ca/

The Plant Bioactive Compounds Research (Plant BioCoRe) group, lead by Dr. Thu-Thuy Dang, integrates biochemistry, chemistry, bioinformatics, and molecular genetics to elucidate and engineer the biosynthesis of valuable small molecules from medicinal plants. Our ultimate aim is to learn and translate natural metabolism into innovative biotechnologies to meet the ever-increasing demands of high-value chemicals. Our current projects involve discovering biosynthetic enzymes and pathways, generating alkaloid structural and functional diversities, and re-constituting natural product metabolism in synthetic biology chassis.

Plant BioCoRe is located on the Okanagan Campus of the University of British Columbia, a close-knit yet fast-growing community right in the heart of the beautiful Okanagan valley.

We support inclusivity and equity. We seek qualified applicants from all backgrounds (cultural, gender, racial, etc.) to ensure that our team gets the best talents and reflects the diversity of our campus.

PROJECT: Elucidation of alkaloids biosynthetic pathway in plants  

Closing date: May 15, 2023

Expected starting date: June 5th or July 3nd, 2023

Starting salary: CA$ 45,000 – 52,000

Hours per week: 40 hours

Duration: 12 months (renewable depending on performance and funding availability)

Job description: The postdoctoral researcher will conduct research into the elucidation of alkaloid biosynthetic pathways from medicinal plants. Duties include experimental design, method development (molecular biology, enzymology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, LCMS, HPLC), data collection, and data interpretation and presentation. The postdoctoral researcher will be working independently and in the team under the supervision of the line manager (Dr. Thu-Thuy Dang), and collaborating with colleagues from the group as well as other research groups.

The postdoc will be responsible for day-to-day management of the project including experimental planning and execution, data collection and analysis, discussion and presentations in various meetings (lab meetings, conferences, workshops, etc.), report/publication writing, and related duties. The position holder is also expected to supervise, train, and advise students and other junior lab members, as well as deliver guest lectures. The postdoctoral researcher will be working independently and in the team under the supervision of the line manager (Dr. Thu-Thuy Dang), and collaborating with colleagues from the group as well as other research groups. The post holder will be advised by the principal investigator, Dr. Thu-Thuy Dang, in regular one-to-one meetings and relevant discussion channels.

ACTIVITY SUMMARY

Planning and performing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, troubleshooting, and planning further works: 70%

Preparing and submitting manuscripts for publication, presentations to internal as well as national and international audiences: 10%

Undertaking training: 5%

Training junior lab members, discussing/advising colleagues, teaching: 10%

Other relevant duties agreed with the PI: 5%

REQUIREMENTS

Education: PhD (fully awarded or expected within 6 months) in one of the following disciplines: biochemistry, molecular biology, metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, plant biology, and biological chemistry, microbiology. (essential)

Knowledge in specialized (secondary) metabolism and alkaloid biosynthesis (essential).

Expertise in enzymology, molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and analytical chemistry

Genomic and transcriptomic analysis (essential)

Gene cloning and plasmid construction (essential)

Protein expression and purification in plant and microbes (essential)

Enzyme in vivo and in vitro assays (essential)

Small-molecule compound extraction and purification from various systems (essential)

HPLC, LC-MS, GC-MS, TLC skills (essential)

Good basic bioinformatic and general computer skills, and proven ability to learn and apply new skills (essential)

Excellent understanding of plant specialized metabolism (essential)

Proven ability to carry out innovative research with publishable outcomes

Evidence of intellectual independence, rigour and creativity (essential)

Relevant first-author publications in high-caliber peer-reviewed journals (essential)

Excellent organization and record keeping skills (essential)

Good communicative, collaborative, and interpersonal skills:

Oral presentation experience to academic audiences at national and international meetings (essential)

Good team working skills with proven ability to collaborate with internal and external colleagues with publishable outcomes (essential)

Ability to train colleagues and students for laboratory and other research skills (essential)

Proven ability to teach/deliver lectures to various audiences (essential)

Experience working with diverse groups of colleagues and/or clients (desirable)

Additional requirements:

Ability to accept and value equity and diversity, and to accept the expected values for staff members at UBC (essential)

Attention to details (essential)

Willingness to work outside standing working hours when needed (desirable)

Willingness to travel including taking overseas trips for collaboration and/or conference purposes (essential)

All qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application package that includes:

CV

Cover letter/Research statement

3 referees names

Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Thuy Dang at thuy.dang@ubc.ca. Deadline for applications is May 15, 2023. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

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