Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

Department: Biological Sciences

Principal Investigator: Dr. Hua Lu

Position Summary

The Lu Lab at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our team. Our lab is interested in dissecting molecular mechanisms underlying plant-pathogen interactions, using Arabidopsis thaliana as the model system.

The successful candidate will work on a newly funded NSF project to investigate how an RNA binding protein regulates plant defense and development with opportunities to engage in collaborative activities with a bioinformatics team and to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate shall receive rigorous research training, improve their writing, presentation and mentoring skills, develop their professional network, and advance their career. This position is in line with the Department of Biological Sciences' mission to advance new discoveries across biological disciplines and provide outstanding educational opportunities to diverse populations of students and postdoctoral fellows. 

Key Responsibilities

• Generate FLK variants with mutations in individual KH repeats to test how these contribute to functional specificity of FLK.
• Test binding of FLK and/or FLK variants to transcripts of candidate target genes.
• Identify FLK targets through ultra-deep RNA-seq and crosslinking immunoprecipitation (CLIP)-seq and characterize these target genes.
• Analyze experimental results using appropriate bioinformatics and statistical tools.
• Troubleshoot experimental protocols and optimize methodologies as needed.
• Prepare figures, charts and tables for manuscripts and weekly lab presentations.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D in Plant Biology, Genetics and Molecular Biology or related fields.
• Strong technical skills in genetics, molecular biology, biochemical assays and microscopy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in plant pathogen disease assays, protoplast manipulation and DNA/RNA/protein manipulations.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit the following materials:

1. Cover Letter ? detailing research interests and fit for the position.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
3. One-page summary of your thesis research project.

Interested candidates should upload your application materials here:

https://apply.interfolio.com/166443.

Applications submitted solely through LinkedIn or ISEV will not be reviewed.

UMBC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

About University of Maryland, Baltimore County

UMBC is a dynamic public research university integrating teaching, research and service to benefit the citizens of Maryland. As an Honors University, the campus offers academically talented students a strong undergraduate liberal arts foundation that prepares them for graduate and professional study, entry into the workforce, and community service and leadership. UMBC emphasizes science, engineering, information technology, human services and public policy at the graduate level. UMBC contributes to the economic development of the State and the region through entrepreneurial initiatives, workforce training, K-16 partnerships, and technology commercialization in collaboration with public agencies and the corporate community. UMBC is dedicated to cultural and ethnic diversity, social responsibility and lifelong learning.

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