Postdoctoral Research Associate - Plant Metabolomics

Postdoc Aso

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

The natural products chemistry laboratory in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at the Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida is currently accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Associate. The laboratory has strong expertise in the isolation and characterization of natural products and metabolomics. The goal of our laboratory is to better understand plant or human diseases using “omics” technique, as well as translate this knowledge into science-based solutions. We offer a truly innovative working environment. Our center is located off the main campus, in Central Florida, less than 1 hour from Orlando and Tampa.

Key responsibilities

This position will utilize analytical instrumentation, including different chromatography setups, such as HPLC-DAD/ELSD, LC-MS/MS, and LC-TOF/MS. The candidate will be expected to develop new strategies for plant metabolomics/lipidomics to study plant related diseases and plant growth. Optimization of targeted and untargeted approaches will be necessary to achieve methodologies fitting identification and screening requirements. Additional responsibilities include researching, interpreting, and evaluating relevant literature; compiling and analysis of data; maintaining an accurate, up-to-date lab notebook to contribute to SOPs; preparing and editing manuscripts for publication, and collaborating with other lab staff and graduate students.

About the Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC), University of Florida

The CREC provides a unique off campus IFAS environment with over 200 employees, including more than 600 acres of groves, greenhouses, fresh fruit packinghouse, juice processing pilot plant, more than 40 research laboratories, teaching laboratory, an electron microscopy facility and the largest citrus library in the world.

Duration: one year, can be extended

Background Information:

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine. UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

The motivated candidate should hold a PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, plant science or metabolomics. They should be keen on analytical development and demonstrate hands‐on experience with advanced instrumentation (liquid chromatography, hyphenated systems). Experience with the plant science, Thermo LC-MS systems and “big data” /or multi-omics analysis is a merit. Fluency in spoken and written English, and excellent communication skills are expected. The candidate should also enjoy collaborating with a group of researchers on the different aspects of the same basic research question. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
• Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.