UNC Greensboro

Position Number 998030

Functional Title Postdoctoral Fellow - Plant Biotechnology

Position Type Post-docs

Position Eclass EP - EHRA 12 mo leave earning

University Information

Located in North Carolina’s third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University’s 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

UNC Greensboro, Department of Biology teaches biological concepts and research methods to biology and medical technology majors and prepares them for professional careers and/or advanced study. We also introduce non-biology majors to basic biological knowledge and its applications to our society. We prepare graduate students for professional careers and/or further graduate study. By involving undergraduate and graduate students in research, we increase society’s knowledge of living organisms and their environments and we enhance our students’ technical and analytical skills so that they can contribute meaningfully to an increasingly technological society. We apply our skills by serving the University, our profession, and the larger community.

Position Summary

The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to work both independently and in close collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Ayalew Osena and students to optimize Agrobacterium transformation and improve desirable traits in underutilized crops.

Major duties include plant tissue culture, designing genetic constructs for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, phenotyping and genotyping of genetically modified/edited plants, data analysis and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner to meet project milestones, presenting research progress at lab and departmental seminars, and professional conferences, summarizing data for annual report writing for the funding agency, and contributing to grant writing, maintaining details and accurate records of research activities, ensuring compliance with safety protocols, and participation in graduate and undergraduate student mentoring.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, genetics or related fields.

Additional Required Certifications, Licensures, and Certificates

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred expertise includes molecular cloning such as Golden Gate cloning, Gibson assembly, In-Fusion cloning etc., plant tissue culture, and Agrobacterium transformation of model and crop plants.
• Expertise in CRISPR-Cas plant genome editing is preferred, and monocot transformation experience is a plus. Preference will be given to a candidate with strong and related publication records.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Recruitment Range Commensurate with experience

Org #-Department Biology - 12204

Job Open Date 11/04/2025

For Best Consideration Date 12/01/2025

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

FTE 1.000

Type of Appointment Time Limited

If time-limited, please specify end date for appointment.

One year from the employee date of hire with the possibility of renewal based on continuation of grant funding and satisfactory performance.

Number of Months per Year 12

FLSA Exempt

Percentage Of Time 70

Key Responsibility

Research and Development

Essential Tasks

Conducting wet lab research:

• Preparing genetic constructs for plant transformation.
• Generating target tissue for transformation including plant tissue culture.
• Preparing Agrobacterium for transformation.
• Generating transgenic and CRISPR-edited lines.
• Genotyping and phenotyping of transgenic lines.
• This involves in vitro as well as in vivo experiments in the lab, sterile culture, control growth facilities and greenhouses.

Percentage Of Time 10

Key Responsibility

Data Analysis

Essential Tasks

• Performing statistical analysis, interpreting and evaluating results.
• Preparing reports and/or presentations in a timely manner.
• Monitors and collects research data to assess accuracy, validity, and Integrity.

Percentage Of Time 10

Key Responsibility

Presentations

Essential Tasks

• Professional development including presentation at lab and departmental seminars, as well as national and international conferences.
• Contributing to annual report.
• Original manuscript writing, and grant writing.

Percentage Of Time 10

Key Responsibility

Knowledge Based Duties

Essential Tasks

• Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in candidates area of expertise as needed.
• Learning new tools to improve research productivity as needed.
• Learning and operating new equipment and instruments etc.

Physical Effort Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions, Hand Movement-Grasping, Holding, Finger Dexterity, Vision-Skilled Trades, Reading, Writing, Eye-hand coordination, Vision-Color Distinction, Vision-Preparing/Analyzing figures, Vision-Visual inspection, Vision-Measuring/Assembling at distance close to eye, Hearing, Talking, Standing, Sitting, Walking, Lifting-0-30 lbs., Lifting-30-60 lbs., Pushing/Pulling, Climbing-Stairs, Bending, Squatting, Crawling, Reaching

Work Environment Driving - Car/Truck, Location - Trees, Inside, Outside, Others… - Wetlands

Read Full Description