Postdoctoral Research Associate - Plant Systems Biology

Requisition Id 14862 

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. The Biosciences Division of ORNL has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to conduct research on plant-microbe interactions and abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms as part of the Plant-Microbe Interfaces (PMI) Scientific Focus Area project (https://pmiweb.ornl.gov/).

The Plant Systems Biology Group investigates how plant and microbial genes, proteins, metabolites and plant traits interact to influence plant-microbe interactions and stress responses. The selected candidate will join a collaborative team investigating microbial-mediated plant pathways that modulate abiotic stress tolerance in Populus. The project involves integrating automated phenotyping approaches with molecular analyses to understand plant-microbe interactions under stress conditions.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Conduct molecular, biochemical and physiological plant and microbial analyses
• Collect, integrate and analyze multi-omics plant-microbe datasets
• Utilize automated plant and/or microbe phenotyping technologies
• Measure plant physiological responses to single and combined stresses
• Participate in regular cross-functional team meetings to share research progress and integrate diverse perspectives
• Present research progress in project meetings and national/international conferences
• Publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner
• Maintain detailed and accurate records
• Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, health and quality program requirements
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in plant biology, plant molecular biology, plant physiology, microbiology, or related fields.
• Applicants cannot have received the most recent degree more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with plant-microbe interaction studies
• Experience in plant stress physiology and phenotyping
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques
• Experience analyzing and interpreting multi-omics datasets
• Knowledge of plant hormone signaling pathways and stress responses
• Experience with greenhouse experiments
• Strong background in statistical analysis and data integration
• Experience with woody perennial plant systems
• Effective writing and communication skills with a strong publication record
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team

Special Requirements:

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment.

The appointment length will be for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to Postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

Relocation:

Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.