HudsonAlpha - Plant Biotechnologist - Swaminathan Lab
HudsonAlpha - Plant Biotechnologist - Swaminathan Lab
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Job Description
Position: Plant Biotechnologist Swaminathan Lab
Job Type: FullTime
INSTITUTE OVERVIEW
LABORATORY OVERVIEW
The Swaminathan laboratory uses functional genomics and plant biotechnology to study to understand the molecular basis of traits like perennially carbon partitioning habit and nutrient recycling in grasses.
The laboratory is currently looking for a talented plant biotechnologist interested in applying cuttingedge tools in crop biotechnology to develop and improve plant transformation and tissue culture pipelines for miscanthus. The individual will be an important contributor to projects in the lab working alongside other researchers and trainees. It is therefore extremely important that the individual works well with others and has excellent organizational and communication skills.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Plant Biotechnologist carries out research projects and protocols as determined by the Principal Investigator following procedures exactly as outlined ensuring the consistency of research practices and ultimately helping ensure the consistency and integrity of project outcomes. It is important that the individual also provides feedback in the case that procedures are not producing as expected communicating progress and advising of any issues that arise.
The Plant Biotechnologist must understand laboratory and plant tissue culture procedure safety and regulations. In addition to a general knowledge of the overall objectives of the research project they must have an understanding of the tactical methodology in particular. They will work alongside graduate students postdoctoral fellows research associates senior scientists under the direction of the Principal Investigator and Lead Biotechnologist communicating progress and advising of any issues that arise. They must be able to adapt to modifications in protocol changes in equipment or upgrades in software as well as adjustments to the scope of research projects.
Plant Biotechnologist positions fall among several levels that are generally progressive and reflect increasing proficiency. However it is not to be expected that a Plant Biotechnologist will continually promote upward. The assigned level depends on the complexity of actual duties and responsibilities and is not necessarily a reflection of tenure.
Basic Expectations for this position
- Proficient in all aspects of plant biotech laboratory procedure including ability to modify and adapt protocols to develop gene editing and transformation pipelines for miscanthus
- Manage concurrent tasks in various stages of completion
- Provide assistance and backup as needed to other research team members including collecting and prepping large numbers of samples for sequencing
- Maintains an accurate and uptodate laboratory notebook or tracks work as required by the project or supervisor
- Assists with general lab maintenance such as cleaning freezers shared lab space and equipment and ordering and stocking shared reagents and consumables
- Other duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A graduate degree in plant biotechnology or proven proficiency in plant biotechnology. Experience in transforming miscanthus using agrobacterium mediated transformation
- Meticulous attention to detail both in actual laboratory practice and in documentation
- Excellent general molecular biology laboratory skills including proficiency in pipetting documentation and procedure
- Ability to accurately convert measurements and prepare chemical solutions and buffers as required
- Ability to understand protocols modify and clarify them and perform protocols with consistency as demonstrated through previous laboratory experience
- Experience with molecular biology techniques and the ability to operate specialized and general lab equipment (biolistic particle delivery systems fluorescent microscopes PCR and qPCR machines gel electrophoresis tabletop centrifuge etc).
Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/Mental Functions
ADA Requirements The physical demands work environment factors and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other jobrelated duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an atwill basis.
Physical Demands
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sit or stand) for prolonged periods (60% of the time)
- Frequently moving between work areas
- Sustained standing and sitting including long hours working in a tissue culture hood
- Frequently moving transporting and positioning materials up to 50 pounds.
- Vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and depth perception
- Ability to visually observe results and record outcomes on lab logs and/or PC
- Ability to sustain focus during research procedures (to maintain protocol such as order of operations
- Travel for approximately a week at a time a few times a year to sample at other locations. This may require the individual to drive themselves and others to these locations.
- Continuous mental and visual attention requiring sustained attention and observations
- Frequent operation of common office equipment (e.g. computers mobile devices calculators copiers scanners) and laboratory equipment
- Frequently position self (e.g. stoop crouch crawl bend) and pull/push grasp/squeeze wrist flexion/extension reach to operate and maintain laboratory equipment.
- Work in the field to collect samples and measurements from field tests as needed
Environmental Factors
- Exposure to chemical mechanical and electrical hazards and hazardous physical substances and fumes and airborne particles.
- Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Mental Functions
- Continuous mental and visual attention requiring sustained attention and observation.
- Excellent fine motor skills and hand control in order to pipette accurately.
- Ability to sustain focus during research procedures (to maintain protocol such as order of operations).
- Ability to visually observe results and record outcomes on lab logs and/or PC.
- Basic computer skills are required.
- Extensive documentation skills good attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills are required.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing in the English language.
- Requires the ability to adapt to change efficiently.
- Ability to independently lead and conduct research and to evaluate interpret and present complex scientific data.
- Capacity to work productively within functionally diverse teams as well as collaborate with external investigators and partners in academic and industrial settings.
- Ability to prioritize issues and use sound judgment to recognize when additional consultation and/or help is needed.
- Comfortable working on multiple projects at one time.
- Strong logical thinking and deduction skills.
- Ability to effectively present ideas and information in a variety of formats to a wide range of audiences.
- Positive flexible and professional attitude.
It is the policy of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in accordance with all applicable laws to recruit hire train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race color religion sex age national origin disability
Employment Type
Full-Time
