Postdoctoral Research Associate

at  New York Botanical Garden

POSITION SUMMARY:

A postdoctoral research associate is sought to help investigate the evolution and development of sporangia in ferns as part of an NSF funded collaborative proposal. The postdoctoral research associate will report to Barbara Ambrose, Curator of Plant Genomics and Director of the Laboratory of Integrative Biodiversity Research.
The sporangium is the fundamental reproductive structure common to all land plants. The evolution and development of sporangia have been key to the reproductive success and diversity of land plants. The evolution of distinct sporangia evolved three times independently and was a necessary innovation for the evolution of the seed. The evolution of smaller sporangia with an effective dehiscence mechanism is key to the reproductive success of leptosporangiate ferns, the largest group of ferns. Therefore, elucidating a core sporangia developmental network will provide insights into not only the reproductive structure common to all land plants but also the evolution and development of structures that are key to agriculture. Despite its fundamental importance, a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary developmental genetics of the reproductive transition and concomitant sporangia development across land plants is lacking. This project will leverage the unique advantages of the model fern Ceratopteris with a combination of established and emerging technologies to address this major knowledge gap. This project will use a multi-pronged approach combining analyses of candidate gene evolution with phylogenetic, expression, and functional analyses as well as discovering new genes and the genetic network in the model fern Ceratopteris using in situ transcriptomics and LCM RNAseq. In addition, living collections will be leveraged to study the morphological diversity of reproductive structures across ferns. This collaborative project brings together unique skill sets from botany and developmental genetics to plant biotechnology. This project will further develop Ceratopteris as a model species for plant biology studies.
Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD in Biology, Botany, or Evolutionary Biology.
• Experience with molecular and/or developmental biology laboratory skills.
• Experience with phylogenetic analyses and bioinformatic pipelines preferred.
• Experience with microscopy preferred.
• Experience with expression analyses preferred.
• Experience with functional and morphological analyses preferred.
• Track record of collaborative work and publishing.

• Lead phylogenetic analyses of candidate genes of sporangia development.
• Lead expression analyses of candidate genes.
• Lead and coordinate functional analyses in Ceratopteris richardii.
• Train and supervise undergraduate and high school interns working on functional analyses and Fern Cell Atlas.
• Participate in training of PhD student in phylogenetic analyses, expression, and/or functional analyses.
• Lead manuscript preparation for specific aspects of project and collaborate with external PI and students on additional manuscripts.
• Engage in a collaborative postdoctoral mentoring plan.
• Present research to professionals and the public through a range of media.
• Participate in NYBG science activities and outreach related to the project.