AGC: Postdoctoral Position in Plant Genome Editing

About UM6P:

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher learning, that is committed to an educational system based on the highest standards of teaching and research in fields related to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa. UM6P is an institution oriented towards applied research and innovation. On a specific focus on Africa, UM6P aims to position these fields as the forefront and become a university of international standing.

More than just a traditional academic institution, UM6P is a platform for experimentation and a pool of opportunities, for students, professors and staff. It offers a high-quality living and study environment thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure. With an innovative approach, UM6P places research and innovation at the heart of its educational project as a driving force of a business model.

About AGC (African Genome Center):

The AGC entity houses a genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics platform aimed at serving as a focal point for research and training. The platform includes a cosmopolitan, cohesive scientific community and provides an infrastructure offering cutting-edge molecular and genomic approaches. Its main mission is to become an accredited research and diagnostic center in Morocco and Africa for, on the one hand, carrying out basic and applied scientific research in the sectors of food security, agriculture, conservation, environment and health and on the other hand to participate in technological transfers and training of highly qualified personnel.

Description of the position:

The African Genome Center at UM6P is seeking two postdoctoral positions in Plant Cell Engineering via CRISPR/Cas systems. The goal of our research is to use innovative genome editing tools for targeted improvement of crop traits.

Education

 A Ph.D. in plant biotechnology, molecular plant science, molecular biology, or related field.

Requirement

• Experience in guide design, cloning and construct preparation.
• Hands-on experience in plant transformation using both Agrobacterium and biolistic.
• Experience in transformation of cereals and monocots such as rice, wheat yam, etc. Working knowledge of tools related to basic bioinformatics platforms, needed for genome editing and allied analysis.
• Strong record of research productivity as evidenced by good quality publications.
• Effective writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a laboratory team.
• Aptitude and interest to work in a multi-cultural, diverse workplace. Ability to speak and write English fluently.

Duties

• Design, build and engineer a variety of plasmid constructs including binary vectors.
• Transient transformation into tobacco plants via agroinfection to test the designs and catalytic activity of the CRISPR/Cas machinery.
• Generate stable expression lines with CRISPR/Cas9 machinery in crops such as rice, wheat, Sorghum, tomato, melon, etc.
• Analyze edited events via different molecular tools and sequencing.
• Genome wide gene editing via sgRNA libraries.
• Analysis of deep amplicon sequencing data.
• Phenotypic assays of edited plant species.
• Perform segregation analysis to produce foreign DNA-free lines.
• Present and publish research findings. Supervise students, visiting scientists.

Application Instructions

Candidates must apply online on the application portal for Postdoctoral Fellow Genome Editing. Applications must include a cover letter, CV including contact information of 3 references and a list of publications. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

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.

The deadline for application is January 31st, 2024, however, the positions will remain open until filled.

Benefits

We offer international competitive packages, an excellent working environment in a highly interdisciplinary and international research setting, complete with state-of-the-art research facilities. Postdoctoral fellows will receive competitive full-time fellowship package with accompanying social benefits. Additionally, incumbents will have an opportunity to visit our collaborative laboratories abroad. We also offer initiatives promoting work-life balance and health promotion services.

For more information, please contact Pr. Valentine Ntui; valentine.ntui@um6p.ma UM6P.