Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Company: North Carolina State University
Job Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Category: Biology
Type: Full-Time
Position Number: 00106345
Essential Job Duties:
We are a dynamic research team focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of plant-virus-vector interactions. Our mission is to develop new foundational knowledge of plant viruses and to translate this information into new control strategies and biotechnology tools for crop improvement.
Grapevine red blotch disease has emerged as a major threat to winegrape production throughout North America in recent decades. We aim to develop tools and protocols for grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) detection in insects and plants. We will integrate these new technologies with established methods to better understand GRBV localization in the insect vector throughout circulative transmission and make strides in understanding GRBV latency in grapevine and experimental plant hosts. The detection tools developed will also have applications for red blotch diagnostics.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- The postdoctoral research scholar will express GRBV proteins in prokaryotic and eukaryotic (insect and plant) cells and purify proteins for antibody production. (50%)
- Characterize GRBV dissemination and tissue tropism in insect vectors with in situ methods. (50%)
- Molecular analysis of viral genomes, gene expression, and gene function.
- Primer design, DNA/RNA handling, protein expression, Western blotting.
- Develop and test standardized procedures for determining vector competence on candidate vectors.
Departmental Required Skills:
- Ability to generate infectious clones of plant viruses and/or gene expression experience.
- Demonstrated experience with experimental design and statistical analysis, molecular biology, handling plant and/or insect viruses.
- Molecular biology skills required: primer design, DNA/RNA handling, protein expression, Western blotting, and qRT-PCR.
Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:
We are searching for an independent researcher with:
- Excellent scientific and writing skills.
- Experience with cloning plant viruses, construction of full-length infectious clones and mutagenesis of regulatory regions.
- Experience and/or knowledge of maize genetics and pathogen interactions.
- Experience with transmission biology of insect-borne viruses, herbivorous insect husbandry and/or genome editing of plants is preferred.
- Mentoring experience or a desire to mentor undergraduate researchers is an important component of this position.
Necessary Licenses or Certifications:
- Valid NC Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire.
Department: 111801 - Entomology and Plant Pathology
Location: Raleigh, NC
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