"Postdoctoral Position - Olawole's Lab"

Postdoctoral Position - Olawole's Lab

Job Details: A post-doctoral research position is available in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at the University of California, Riverside to study molecular plant-bacterial interactions with emphasis on functional genomics. This research seeks to investigate the genetic drivers of host-specific virulence among the subspecies of the phytopathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, using molecular biology, computational biology, genomics, genetics, biochemistry, metabolomic, and cell biology approaches.

Job Requirements: The successful candidate will primarily focus on the biochemical, functional characterization of several plant and pathogen candidate genes associated with host-specific virulence among X. fastidiosa subspecies. The postdoc will integrate the data from transcriptomics, metabolomics, and culturomics studies conducted in the lab and use several functional genomics approaches to determine the function of these candidate genes. This position entails laboratory and greenhouse work. The appointee will analyze large datasets, write progress reports, and publications in a timely manner. The postdoc will work in a team that includes other postdocs, assistants, national and international collaborators, graduate, and undergraduate students. The position is initially for one year, but renewable upon satisfactory performance.

Minimum qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in plant pathology, microbiology, microbial ecology, microbial genomics, molecular biology, and a keen interest in host-microbe interactions.
• Good lab bench work experience, including microbiology, molecular biology, genetics skills.
• Highly motivated candidates with an interest in using cutting-edge functional genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and biochemistry approaches to the study of plant-microbe interactions are encouraged to apply.
• Extensive experience with molecular biology techniques (DNA- and RNA-based techniques) demonstrated by publications.
• Experience with basic biochemistry techniques routinely used in MPMI studies (i.e. protein expression, yeast two hybrids, and Co-immunoprecipitation studies) demonstrated by publications.
• Additional work experience or knowledge about plants and insects as bacterial hosts would be an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written communication, since this position involves writing manuscripts and assisting the PI in grant writing activities and progress reports for funding agencies.
• A record of scientific accomplishment by peer-reviewed publications.
• Work independently and in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

Preferred qualifications:

• Expertise with sterile techniques and bacterial culturing techniques.
• Experience with genetic transformation and mutagenesis in bacteria.
• Experience with microscopy techniques.
• Experience with execution of bioinformatic pipelines for genome and transcriptome sequencing analyses.
• Demonstrated skills and experience analyzing Next Generation Sequencing data.

How to apply: Candidates should apply directly to Dr. Olakunle Olawole via email to olakunlo@ucr.edu. Attach to your email a single pdf file containing: Curriculum vitae (CV) and cover letter indicating your research interests and how you meet the minimum qualifications and listing the contact information of three references. Please name your PDF in the order 'LastName_FirstName_xylellapostdoc.pdf'. The subject of the email should be 'Application for Xylella Postdoc': Screening will start on January 2, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. All UC Riverside Postdoctoral scholars are eligible to participate in the Postdoctoral Scholar Benefit Plans, which include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HRSU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.