Research Associate - Iici

The Institute for International Crop Improvement (IICI) at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is recruiting for a highly motivated researcher interested in applying their skills towards improving food security crops for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. This position as a full-time Research Associate involves developing and characterizing genetically engineered and genome edited crop varieties with improved disease and pest resistance traits. Within the IICI team, the incumbent will be responsible for developing and adapting new plant transformation methods, undertaking various molecular and physicochemical analyses, and assisting in compiling, analyzing, and interpreting results. The Research Associate will also serve as a resource to others, including visiting scientists from around the world, in the development and implementation of molecular diagnostic methods. For more information, visit our webpage.

Responsibilities:

• Collecting plant morphological and agronomic data, and conducting trait efficacy studies
• Coordinating logistics around shipping, inventorying and managing permit conditions for the movement and storage of regulated plant materials
• Undertaking training of visiting scientists in molecular diagnostics techniques (e.g., PCR, lateral flow dipstick, ELISA, etc.)
• Conducting molecular-genetic analyses of genetically engineered and genome edited plant lines, including DNA/RNA isolation and various PCR methods
• Other duties as assigned
• Propagating plants in tissue culture, growth chambers, and the greenhouse, including field planting and after care as required
• Developing plant genetic transformation pipelines for food security crops relevant to IICI’s target geographies

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Previous laboratory experience, including experience in molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, Southern hybridization, plasmid vector construction) and protein analytical methods (ELISA, western immunoblotting)
• Experience in data analysis and presentation
• Must have authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship
• Able to organize, multitask their time efficiently and work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and interactive research environment
• Effective communication skills
• Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship
• A strong interest in participating in new technology development and striving for technical excellence through collaboration, self-improvement, and an open mind
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills
• Strong record keeping and organizational skills

Qualifications:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in plant molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry or a related field with at least six (B.Sc.) or three (M.Sc.) years of relevant laboratory experience.

Submission:

• CV
• Contact information for three (3) professional references
• Cover letter clearly describing previous background and experience in a research setting

About IICI and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center:

The Institute for International Crop Improvement (IICI) translates plant science discoveries and technology into food and nutrition security solutions for the people that need them most. To do this, the IICI focuses on improving crops like sorghum, millet, cowpeas, groundnuts, potato, and cassava that tend to be regionally important but not traded around the world, and historically have not received the same research and development focus as the major commodity crops, such as corn, soybean, and wheat. The IICI is dedicated to improving the disease and pest resistance, nutritional content, and harvest of staple crops that are critical to the health and livelihood of smallholder farmers and the millions of people that depend on them for food and nutrition. The team is housed at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in the vibrant AgTech hub of St. Louis, Missouri.

Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is an independent, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Our focus is scientific research at the nexus of food, energy, and the environment to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and from charitable contributions from individuals, companies, and foundations.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is proudly an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions at the Danforth Center are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It is our policy that the Danforth Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin and status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided on this web site, please contact Human Resources, at 314-587-1033 for further assistance.