Start Date: As early as January 2022

Position Details: The Leisner and Sanz-Saez labs at Auburn University are seeking a postdoctoral scholar to work in plant physiology and global change. The focus of the project is to dissect the physiological mechanisms of climate change impacts on seed nutritional quality using the model legume soybean. The major responsibility of the postdoctoral researcher is to carry out a series of controlled growth chamber experiments to examine hypothesized mechanisms of nutrient loss in soybean grown under elevated carbon dioxide concentrations using physiological and transcriptomic techniques. The postdoctoral researcher will also validate this work in the field using the soyFACE facility at the University of Illinois (https://soyface.illinois.edu) and will work with collaborators at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (https://www.danforthcenter.org) to develop models of soybean nutrient content responses to elevated carbon dioxide. This is a three-year funded project that will be co-advised between the two laboratories at Auburn University. Information about the Leisner lab can be found at https://www.leisnerlab.com information about Sanz-Saez lab can be found at https://agriculture.auburn.edu/about/directory/faculty/alvaro-sanz-saez/. The position is joint between the Department of Biological Sciences (www.auburn.edu/biology) and Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University (https://agriculture.auburn.edu/research/cses/).

To Apply: If interested, please send a single PDF containing: a one-page cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the contact information for at least three references to Dr. Courtney Leisner at cpl0013@auburn.edu and Dr. Alvaro Sanz-Saez at sanz@auburn.edu. Please include “Postdoc in Soybean Physiology and Transcriptomics” in the subject of your email.

A Ph.D. in biology, plant biology, crop physiology or a related field; excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills; and a record of scientific publication. Applicant must be able to work both independently and with others within a research team. Experience in agriculture, biochemistry, molecular biology, genomics, and/or bioinformatics would be expected. Experience in plant molecular biology such transcriptomics and physiological techniques such as gas exchange or micro-lysimeter work will be beneficial. This position is available starting January 2022, and the initial appointment is for 1 year, renewable annually for up to 3 years. A renewal of the appointment will be contingent upon success of the research program and available funding. Employment offer is also conditional upon successful completion of a criminal background check. Members of historically underserved and marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.