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Postdoctoral Employee – Production of secondary metabolites in plants – Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology

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Position overview

Salary range: The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position is eligible for full postdoctoral benefits.
Percent time: 100%
Position duration: This is a one-year position. The appointment may be renewable depending on availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

Position description

The Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET) at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar position in the area of secondary metabolite production in plants and its purification, e.g., saponins. The Postdoctoral Scholar will conduct laboratory research as part of Prof. Clayton Radke (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) and Dr. Ricardo San Martin (SCET) efforts to efforts to maximize production of these compounds in plants subjected to different growth and external stimuli conditions.

The successful candidate will be monitoring secondary metabolite production, e.g., saponins, of a large number of plants (collection of samples, analysis and data management and interpretation), as well as studies on gene upregulation production in response to different abiotic stresses, e.g., light (UV-C), temperature, water. The work will consider identifying gene candidates in the existing literature, that are upregulated in the different abiotic stress conditions, as well as measuring the potential upregulation of those genes with quantitative PCR (qPCR) in green tissue. The postdoc will be responsible for leading experiments and communicating results through lab presentations, publications, and conferences. The postdoc will also be responsible for working and supporting student teams at UC Berkeley and collaborating with different research teams outside of UC Berkeley.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
  • PhD or equivalent international degree, or enrolled in a PhD or equivalent international degree granting program.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
  • PhD or equivalent international degree.
  • The candidate should have no more than four years of post-degree research experience.
Preferred qualifications
  • Doctoral degree in Biology, Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical and Biological Engineering, or related discipline.
  • Publication record in the area of Plant Biology, Genetics, Bioengineering, or related fields.
  • Experience training and mentoring junior scientists
  • Prior experience in secondary metabolite production in plants and gene upregulation studies.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team and build effective relationships.
  • Demonstrated curiosity, motivation to be challenged and excitement to further our understanding of secondary metabolite production in plants.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Superior academic performance

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03694

Help contact: jspitzer@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Berkeley, CA