Laboratory Technician (Full Time) - Nusinow Lab

The Nusinow lab at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is seeking a highly motivated, organized individual with a background in plant biology, genetics, or biochemistry to fill a full-time Laboratory Technician position. This is an entry-level position to measure and record plant phenotypes using hand and digital measurementsw. Responsibilities will include: plant genotyping; analyzing and quantifying changes to plant physiology, including height, flowering time, color, and structural changes; maintaining and analyzing transgenic and nontransgenic plant lines; keeping databases of materials (Nucleic Acid stocks, bacterial stocks, and plant materials) up-to-date. Experience with open-source digital phenotyping tools, such as plant CV a plus. Other general duties will include, routine lab maintenance, media preparation, seed collection, planting, and basic plant care. This is an entry-level position and additional training in these topics will be provided as necessary. For more information visit our webpage.

Responsibilities:

• Plant genotyping and expression analysis by quantitative PCR
• Analyzing and quantifying changes to plant physiology, including height, flowering time, color, and structural changes
• Maintaining and analyzing transgenic and nontransgenic plant lines
• Keeping databases of materials (Nucleic Acid stocks, bacterial stocks, and plant materials) up-to-date
• Other duties as assigned

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Able to organize, multitask time efficiently and work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and interactive research environment
• Effective writing and communication skills, meticulous record keeping
• Independence in planning and performing routine experiments, data analysis and interpretation of results
• Familiarity with the Microsoft Suite of products, specifically Excel, Word and PowerPoint Independence in planning and performing routine experiments, data analysis and interpretation of results
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Basic understanding of sterile techniques and ability to maintain organized work space
• Familiarity with computer programs such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work within a fast-paced team setting, manage a variety of task and good record keeping
• Good communication with team members
• Computational analysis of plant images
• Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship

Qualifications:

• B.A., B.S. or above in Plant Biology, Biochemistry or related field,
• Familiarity with basic molecular cloning techniques: DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, cloning / vector construction, DNA sequencing analysis
• Experience with phenotyping of plant traits.

Submission:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for three (3) professional references

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center:

Founded in 1998, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Our focus is scientific research at the nexus of food, energy and the environment to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. We assemble interactive teams of scientists and develop unique platforms to discover underlying principles about how plants work. We then convert that knowledge into useful crops and products, and partner with organizations that are best positioned to solve problems where they exist around the world. The Centers work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is proudly an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions at the Danforth Center are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It is our policy that the Danforth Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin and status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities. As a federal contractor, the Danforth Center is required to comply with the 2021 Executive Order mandating full vaccination status of employees by December 8, 2021, unless the employee is legally entitled to an accommodation due to physical disability or sincerely held religious belief. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided on this web site, please contact Human Resources, at 314-587-1033 for further assistance.