Research Assistant needed for Arabidopsis ecological plant genetics project in Europe.
We are looking for a Research Assistant to participate in a large-scale investigation of the evolution of flowering time in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. Our approach includes analysis of the flowering time response to a wide range of natural and manipulated environments at levels ranging from DNA sequence variation to continental ecotype distributions. This NSF-funded Frontiers of Integrative Biological Research (FIBR) project is a collaborative effort of four US labs (Johanna Schmitt, Brown University; Stephen Welch, Kansas State University; Michael Purugganan, New York University; Richard Amasino, University of Wisconsin) as well as Arabidopsis laboratories at five research institutions in Europe. Part of this study entails establishing a set of five common gardens in Europe at Valencia, Spain; Oulu, Finland; Norwich, UK; Cologne, Germany; and Halle, Germany. At these sites large numbers of A. thaliana accessions will be grown in multiple plantings synchronized with local populations in order to assess geographic and seasonal variation in selection of flowering time and other life history traits. We are seeking a Research Assistant who would be interested in living at one of the five European field sites and assisting with plant care and measurement. Applicants must have a B.S. degree in biology or a related science. German or Spanish language skills are desirable for this position, but not required. Prior research experience with plants is necessary because the Research Assistant may operate largely independently for prolonged periods of time. Although the primary duties involve plant care and measurement, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to design and independently conduct plant genetic research projects of joint interest to and in consultation with participating host institution scientists. This Research Assistantship has a strong training component and was conceived as being analogous to a Fulbright fellowship. The successful applicant will be awarded an NSF-fellow position. The fellowship stipend will be $35,000 plus health insurance and other benefits. To apply, please send a letter of application, resume and contact information for three references (as pdf files) to Stephen Welch ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or Johanna Schmitt ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Please reference the position number (W0007455) in the email Subject line. For further information on the project see www.egad.ksu.edu/about.html . APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 15, 2007
