Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD must have been received within the past 3 years. This is a temporary training position that can be renewed annually, for a maximum of five years, based upon performance review, progress towards research goals, and continuation of funding.

The principal responsibilities of a postdoctoral fellow in the Torii Lab are to conduct independent research projects aligned with the lab’s scientific mission and to disseminate research findings through publications and presentations at scientific meetings. The position is expected to pursue cutting‑edge research using state‑of‑the‑art technologies and to advance our understanding of plant development and signaling mechanisms that enable adaptation to extreme environments, including underwater conditions. The fellow will be responsible for developing a hypothesis‑driven research plan that outlines materials and methods, experimental design, and anticipated outcomes prior to initiating experiments. In addition, the fellow will establish and optimize pipelines for efficient genome editing in the emergent model species Rorippa aquatica. The position will also contribute to the preparation of upcoming research grant proposals. All members of the Torii Lab are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards and to foster a collaborative environment where all individuals work together to drive scientific innovation and discovery.

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  Perform independent research project as a leader of a small team of research technologists/engineers perform functional genomics and developmental biology research to unravel the regulatory network underpinning how a plant metamorphoses epidermal (stomatal) developmental program adapted to submergence. Study developmental biology/cell biology of amphibious plants sing molecular genetics, genome editing, molecular biology, cell biology, genomics/epigenomics/proteomics and related experimental techniques.

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  Collaborate with other researchers and research technologists to develop genome-editing system in R. aquatica for functional genomics/developmental biology research described above.

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  Data collection, data curation, data organization and data analysis, bioinformatic analysis, run computational pipelines, survey literature.

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  Properly document lab notebooks, organize materials (plasmids, seeds, DNA oligos, plants, etc) and data (e.g. confocal image files, RNA-seq files) for the assigned research projects and for the general Torii Lab inventories, strictly adhering to the Lab guideline.

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  Maintain, manage, and operate critical pieces of equipment as well as chores in the lab (including proper growth room maintenance, plant cares, seed harvesting, dish washing, weekend watering) as necessary. Be in charge of a specific equipment which the postdoc has a strong expertise.

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  Train and mentor junior researchers, such as undergraduates and technicians.

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  Actively participate and present at the weekly lab meetings, Departmental seminars, BioTACOS, and other scientific conference/workshops.

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  Write technical reports, review articles, fellowship applications, assist grant writing (provide preliminary data for grants) and scientific manuscripts as required.

PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or closely related field. PhD must have been received within the past 3 years.

$70,000

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished)

• May work around chemical fumes

• May work around standard office conditions

• May work around biohazards

• May work around chemicals

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

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A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.