Post-doctoral research associate positions are available for up to 2 years to work on an DOE-funded project: Engineering CAM Photosynthetic Machinery into Bioenergy Crops for Biofuels Production in Marginal Environments. The long-term goal of this multidisciplinary research project is to enhance the water use efficiency (WUE) and adaptability to hotter, drier climates of species that normally perform C3 photosynthesis by introducing Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). CAM is an important photosynthetic adaptation in >6% of higher plant species that maximizes WUE up to 10-fold relative to C3 photosynthesis and concentrates CO2 around ribulose-1-5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RUBISCO), strongly favoring the carboxylase activity. The successful applicant will assume a leading role in completing the long-term goal of enhancing photosynthetic performance and WUE in Populus by: 1) Defining the genetic basis of key CAM modules in both dicot and monocot CAM species via coexpression modeling using 'omics (transcriptome and metabolome) technologies; 2) Characterizing the regulation of 'carboxylation', 'decarboxylation', and 'inverse stomatal control' modules of CAM using comparative genomics, network and molecular dynamics modeling, and loss-of-function testing; 3) Deploying advanced genome engineering technologies to enable stacking of a large number of transgenes into a single genomic locus to improve transgene persistence and transfer fully functional 'carboxylation' and 'decarboxylation' modules from CAM species to C3 species that can accommodate overnight malic acid storage in the vacuole; 4) analyzing the effects of these transgenic modules on 'stomatal control', CO2 assimilation and transpiration rates, biomass yield, and WUE in Arabidopsis and Populus. For more detailed information about the project please see: Trends Plant Sci. 19: 327-338, J. Exp. Bot. 65:3381-3393 and visit the project website: http//CAMbiodesign.org.
The positions are in the laboratory of Dr. John Cushman in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, UK and Oak Ridge National Laboratories. The University of Nevada has well-established, state-of-the-art Genomics, Proteomics, Metabolomics, and Bioinformatics Facilities. The Reno/Sparks metroplex has a population of greater than 350,000 and is located in the Truckee Meadows on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains about four hours east of San Francisco.
Qualified applicants must apply online at the University of Nevada, Reno website: https://www.unrsearch.com/postings/17684.The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action in recruitment of its students and employees and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, and sexual orientation. The University of Nevada, Reno employs only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Women and under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.
