Postdoctoral Associate in Plant Genome Engineering and Crop Transformation

Postdoctoral Associate in Plant Genome Engineering and Crop Transformation

University of Florida
· Horticultural Sciences / Crop Transformation Center

United States

Apply by 08 Nov 2026

About This Opportunity

University of Florida offers Postdoctoral Associate in Plant Genome Engineering and Crop Transformation in Gainesville, focused on virus-mediated gene editing and transgene-free crop transformation.

The University of Florida Baysal Lab within the Crop Transformation Center and Horticultural Sciences department is developing crop genome-engineering strategies that aim to produce heritable changes without conventional tissue culture. The postdoc focuses on virus-mediated delivery in citrus and other crop species. The successful researcher will construct viral vectors, design and test CRISPR-Cas gene-editing reagents, examine plant transformation efficiency, analyse PCR/qPCR and DNA/RNA or amplicon sequencing results, and interpret editing outcomes.

Laboratory coordination, data analysis and manuscript preparation are included. Citrus improvement, particularly disease-resilient breeding applications, provides the agricultural context.

An earned doctorate in plant molecular biology, plant biotechnology, biochemistry or a closely related field is required. The vacancy also specifies cloning, molecular analyses, a first-author publication track record and strong English communication. Compensation or funding:
Salary commensurate with education, experience and qualifications. Application timing:
Official UF listing closes 8 November 2026 at 11:55 p.m. EST;
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Who This Opportunity Is Best Suited For:
The strongest fit is likely among plant molecular biologists with practical vector construction, genome editing and crop transformation experience, particularly those who can interpret sequencing evidence of heritable edits.

Potential Challenges / Who May Find It Less Suitable:
Working with virus-derived delivery systems and diverse crop genotypes is technically specialised; this is not a general computational genomics position. Eligibility to work in the United States is a documented hiring condition.

Overall Opportunity Assessment:
The appointment tackles a specific bottleneck in plant breeding: moving targeted genome editing into intact plants without relying on conventional tissue-culture transformation.

Virus-mediated gene editing and transgene-free crop transformation

Level Postdoc

Time Commitment Full-time

Reference Code 541469

Field Plant Biotechnology

Specialization Agricultural Sciences

Organization Type University

Funding & Compensation

Amount Paid

Funding Type Salary

Funding Status Paid

Period Per Year

Requirements Education

An earned doctorate in plant molecular biology, plant biotechnology, biochemistry or a closely related field is required. The vacancy also specifies cloning, molecular analyses, a first-author publication track record and strong English communication.

Technical Skills

• Viral vectors
• CRISPR-Cas
• PCR
• qPCR
• NGS
• CRISPResso
• Plant transformation

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.