IRS24116 Postdoctoral Fellow, Molecular Biology

CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.

For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

CIMMYT seeks a highly motivated, innovative Postdoctoral fellow to work as a molecular biologist in CIMMYT’S Biotechnology facility. Working in our modern laboratory facilities, the successful applicant will join a precision genetics team exploring and availing novel genetic diversity for use in our crop breeding programs. Current projects include gene editing for multiple traits as well as GM trait development across a range of CIMMYT crops. CIMMYT is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship, and the successful applicant must be committed to implementing best practices in stewardship and laboratory operations. This position reports to the head of biotechnology.

The position is based at CIMMYT’s campus in Texcoco, State of Mexico, located 45 km northeast of Mexico City, Mexico.

Specific duties:

• Design and develop synthetic constructs for technology development for genome engineering.
• Analyze transgenic and gene-edited events via different molecular tools and sequencing.
• Apply sgRNA libraries for genome-wide editing experiments.
• Work in collaboration with the transformation team to generate transient and stably expressed lines.
• Contribute to protocol optimization and technology exploration.
• Manuscript writing and contributions to project proposals.
• Train students and visiting staff.
• Present and publish research data.

• Ph.D. in Molecular Plant Sciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related field with a thorough understanding in molecular construct designing and construct engineering.
• Experience in basic molecular tools such as DNA, RNA isolation, PCR, RT-PCR, RNA seq, Quantitative PCR, western, southern, and northern blotting, protein expression and purification in E. coli, protein-protein interaction studies such as Y2H or BiFC.
• Thorough experience in conventional cloning, TA cloning, Gateway cloning, Gibson assembly, and golden gate cloning, Cre-Lox system is required.
• Experience in vector construction software/s is required.
• Understanding different binary vectors and vectors used for gene editing is desirable.
• Working knowledge of tools related to basic bioinformatics platforms for genomic analysis and protein annotation is desirable.
• Proven record of accomplishments in plant molecular biology.
• Ability to compile laboratory results into written reports on an ongoing basis.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a laboratory team.
• Aptitude and interest to work in a multi-cultural, diverse workplace.
• Good reporting and communication skills in English (both, written and working language).
• Prior experience and published record in technology development and protein engineering in the field of GM and genome editing is a plus.
• The selected candidate should exhibit the following competencies: Critical and Creative Thinking, Problem-Solving and Decision-Making, Communication, and Teamwork.

The position is for an initial fixed term of two (2) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health, and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual home travel airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.