A postdoctoral position is available in Biomass Functional Genomics of grasses in the laboratory of Dr. Million Tadege, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078.  The goal of the project is to identify key regulatory genetic networks and integrate developmental and metabolic pathways to understand the major routes of biomass synthesis and accumulation of switchgrass and sorghum.  Leaf blade development and C₄ anatomy, and II Floral Transition will benefit from a Tnt 1-tagged population of the model legume Medicago truncatula where exciting mutants in leaf development, flowering time, plant size and shoot apical meristem function have been collected and some key genes identified.  Incumbents will have the opportunity to work on the Medicago genes while discovering analogous pathways in grasses.  The work will use Brachypodium distachyon and Sorghum bicolar as C_{3 and} C₄ models, respectively, and will target switchgrass for modification of biomass properties.  Leaf blade development and C₄ anatomy.  We have recently identified the Medicago gene STENOFOLIA (STF) to be the orthologue of Nicotiana sylvestris LAM1, STF/LAM1 is a key transcriptional regulator required for lamina expansion, mesophyll cells differentiation, vascular development and female fertility.  The incumbent is expected to further characterize STF by identifying interaction partners and downstream targets to understand the mechanism of it function.  The goal is to identify the analogous gene(s) responsible for leaf blade development and Kranz anatomy in sorghum using a combination of transcript profiling and forward/reverse genetics approaches.  Floral transition.  The incumbent will initially characterize non-flowering mutants of Medicago truncatula and then move on to C₄ grasses.  The incumbent is expected to identify key flowering time genes in grasses using a comprehensive bioinformatics approach and manipulate flowering time in sorghum and switchgrass by genetic transformation.  Position available immediately and renewable for up to three years based upon performance, need, and available funding.  Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.  A Ph.D. in plant molecular biology or related field is required.  Outstanding candidates with interest in plant development who are capable of independent thought and have strong publication records are encouraged to apply.  We are looking for individuals with skills and experience in cellular and biomolecular techniques including one or more of the following: immuno localization, in situ hybridization, microarrays, protein-protein and protein-DNA interaction, real time PCR, library construction and screening, phytohormone analysis and plant transformation and tissue culture.  Fluency in spoken and written English is required.  Experience with grasses is a plus, but not required.  Experience with Mediacgo is not essential.  The position offers a vibrant research atmosphere and collaborations with faculty expertise in plant genetics and breeding, physiology, molecular genetics/genomics and biochemistry.  Excellent opportunities are available to develop independent research projects for professional growth.  To apply, please send a cover letter with a statement of research interest and CV including the names and contact information of three references by email to million.tadege@okstate.edu.  Phone: 405-744-9643.  Oklahoma State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/E-Verify employer committed to diversity. OSU-Stillwater is a tobacco-free campus.

Oklahoma State University is a modern comprehensive land grant university that serves the state, national and international communities by providing its students with exceptional academic experiences, by conducting scholarly research and other creative activities that advance fundamental knowledge, and by disseminating knowledge to the people of Oklahoma and throughout the world.

The OSU System comprises OSU-Stillwater, OSU-Tulsa, OSU-Oklahoma City, OSU-Okmulgee, the OSU Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.