Vacant project manager position for the translational activities within the

at  KU SCIENCE SNM

The Ancient Environmental Genomics Initiative for Sustainability (AEGIS) has a vacant position as project manager for the translational activities. The position is temporary for 3 years starting April 1st, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

THE POSITION

We are seeking a highly qualified, motivated, and dedicated full-time project manager to oversee the coordination of translational activities within AEGIS. We value diverse perspectives and encourage applications from individuals committed to advancing innovative solutions to global challenges. The successful candidate will lead efforts to translate bioinformatic discoveries from ancient environmental DNA analyses into impactful applications for modern agriculture. This role will focus on advancing sustainable practices by developing climate-resilient crops such as barley, rice, and wheat, as well as designing and managing experiments that recreate ancient microbial ecosystems

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• MSc or PhD in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Agricultural Science, Bioinformatics, or a related field with a focus on translational research or applied science.
• Demonstrated experience in identifying and validating traits from genomic or bioinformatic analyses, including familiarity with gene editing technologies like CRISPR/Cas9 for crop improvement.
• Self-motivated, highly organized, and proactive with a strong professional ethic and excellent time management skills.
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES

• Experience with plant breeding, translational genomics, or functional validation pipelines.
• Knowledge of microbial ecology, synthetic biology, or microcosm experiments involving microbial communities.
• Experience communicating with collaborators, industry partners, and stakeholders to align research objectives with broader project goals.
• Familiarity with implementing novel technologies or workflows in agricultural or microbial research.

• Develop and implement plans to ensure effective collaboration among AEGIS partners and stakeholders, aligning bioinformatic discoveries with translational goals in crop improvement and ancient microbe studies.
• Coordinate workflows between AEGIS partners and external collaborators, integrating expertise across bioinformatics, crop science, microbiology, and related fields to achieve project objectives.
• Create and implement SOPs to streamline workflows, ensure reproducibility, and support efficient collaboration across AEGIS partners. Track project progress, anticipate challenges, and address bottlenecks to maintain momentum and deliver results efficiently.