POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN SWITCHGRASS ECOPHYSIOLOGY, GENETICS, AND
CLIMATE CHANGE AT UT AUSTIN
An NSF funded postdoctoral position is available at the University of
Texas at Austin to explore switchgrass responses to climate change. The
goal of the project is to characterize the ecological, physiological,
and genetic responses of both agronomic and native switchgrass varieties
to drought stress as predicted under climate change models. The project
will include common garden experiments conducted under rainout shelters,
measurement of plant physiology, and genomic and genetic mapping
approaches to identify genes and pathways involved in stress responses.
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD with a demonstrated ability to
conduct outstanding research in eco-physiology and a genuine interest in
teaching. The successful candidate must have experience in the detailed
characterization of plant water status, the measurement of gas exchange
and chlorophyll fluorescence, and must be capable of training field
technicians and undergraduates to perform these tasks. There will be
opportunities to develop new complementary projects of your own
interest, and to participate in related ongoing and new projects
associated with our collaborative effort including (but not limited to)
connecting leaf level physiological status to genetic mechanisms of
stress response, exploring links between plant and stand level
physiological responses, and modeling plant performance under climate
change.
In addition, the candidate will be involved in a collaborative effort to
train and mentor undergraduate researchers by co-teaching a course with
the project PIs through the Freshman Research Initiative program
(http://cns.utexas.edu/research/freshman-researchinitiative). This
course will focus on switchgrass biology linking ecology, physiology,
and climate change with biofuel research. The course will involve
training a small cohort of students (10-15 per class) in content and
skills to pursue the fundamental questions of our project.
Application review begins immediately and will continue until the
position is filled. The preferred start date is in January 2010, but is
negotiable. Applicants should electronically submit a single pdf file
containing a brief cover letter outlining qualifications and interests,
curriculum vitae, reprints or thesis chapters, and the names and
addresses of three references. Applications or questions concerning the
position should be directed to:
Dr. Tom Juenger <[email protected]>.
The University of Texas at Austin is an affirmative action, equal
opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity.
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Dr. Tom Juenger
Section of Integrative Biology
University of Texas at Austin
Patterson Labs
Austin, TX 78712
