Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Essential

Job Duties
- The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources has a wide variety of strengths in forestry and natural resources management, policy and economics, environmental science and technology, wildlife and conservation biology, tree improvement, silviculture, forest biotechnology, and international forestry. The Department has over 90 full time faculty and staff, and more than 750 undergraduate and 150 graduate students. Faculty, staff, and students work together with business, industry, government, community groups, and non-government organizations to address a wide range of challenges facing our state and the world.

Partnerships include Camcore, the Forest Productivity Cooperative (FPC), the Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium (SOFAC), and the Tree Improvement Program (TIP). These partnerships facilitate research and discovery, teaching and learning, and outreach and service. Additional information about the department can be found at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). The College of Natural Resources (CNR) at North Carolina State University is a world leader in the sustainable use of natural resources.

The college's comprehensive approach to teaching, research, and service encompass the many and varied ways in which people's physical, economic, and social needs are met through the wise use of natural resources. Primary purpose of the position:
Designing and conducting experiments in the areas of Innovations in delivery of CRISPR components to tree cells, Innovations in regeneration technologies in tree tissue culture, Molecular analysis of edited samples, Phenotypic characterization of trees with improved traits, including productivity, adaptation, wood quality, and resilience. Conducting independent and collaborative studies, analyze and interpret data, and communicate results through reports, presentations, and publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Exploring fundamental questions in genome editing while contributing to practical outcomes—developing technologies that accelerate the improvement of traits of interest in forest trees. This role is ideally suited for curious and motivated scientists with experience in plant research, who thrive on problem-solving, experimentation, and contributing to both basic and applied advances in plant biotechnology.

Other Work/Responsibilities
- Additional duties of the Postdoc may include:
Coordinate and conduct multiple, concurrent assignments, including the development of independent research objectives. Assist in training and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students working in the Forest Biotechnology Laboratory, including supervision of research projects as well as oversight of routine laboratory tasks. Travel to attend meetings with professional colleagues and present results, as well as meetings with stakeholders to learn their perspectives and needs.

Laboratory and greenhouse maintenance and cleanup, organize and participate in laboratory progress meetings. Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements and Preferences

Work Schedule
- Typically Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.

Department Required Skills - 1. Ability to develop, design, or execute fundamental research activities for single or multiple research project(s), 2. Ability to participate in formulating research methods and suggesting options for improving quality and recommending solutions.
3. Ability to manage day-to-day lab operations.
4. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education
- Ability to problem solve and apply creative solutions to various problems that may arise. Ability to self-motivate to work independently and also as a part of a team on multiple research projects and teams simultaneously.

Required License or Certification - N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required? - No

Commercial Driver's License Required? - No