Research Professional 3- Department of Microbiology and Immunology

The Selmecki lab is looking for a professional researcher with substantial yeast genetics and molecular biology expertise to join this international team studying the effects of polyploidy on cell physiology and evolution. The experienced researcher will run an independent research project and help lead a team of undergraduate/postgraduate researchers. Candidates should be able to manipulate and engineer yeast, using classical yeast genetics and modern CRISPR-cas9 techniques. Preference will be given to candidates with experience utilizing large yeast collections (e.g. deletion library) and performing high throughput phenotyping.

Research Overview
Polyploidy, or the presence of three or more sets of chromosomes within a cell, is a widespread feature of genomes, cells, and organisms. Polyploidy was discovered over 100 years ago, but our understanding remains limited, even though nearly all agricultural crops are polyploid, many human organs (for example, liver, heart, and placenta) are polyploid, and at least one-third of all cancers are polyploid. A common theme is that polyploidy is often associated with stress, but few other generalities have emerged, in part because, researchers across diverse fields-from cell biology to genomics, agriculture, cancer, and ecology-rarely interact. Through the efforts of Professor Anna Selmecki in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine, the University of Minnesota is now partnered with distinguished researchers from diverse areas of expertise across the United States and Europe to test the central hypothesis that there are underlying rules to polyploidy that act across levels of biological organization and organismal systems. Through support from the National Science Foundation, these researchers have established the Polyploidy Integration and Innovation Institute (https://www.pi3biology.org/), which is a first of its kind effort to integrate the work of researchers from across disciplines to understand the mechanisms and impact of polyploidy on agriculture, biodiversity, and human health.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Typical tasks (These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks.)

90% Research and data analysis:
Individual will design and conduct complex, multi-step laboratory procedures to engineer, manipulate, and phenotype yeast cells. They will perform molecular, genetic, and microbiology techniques and will be expected to select and adapt methods to meet specific research needs and to assist in development of new techniques.

The candidate will employ a wide variety of experimental techniques including but not limited to CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering, yeast mating and selection, yeast transformation, flow cytometry, DNA and RNA extractions, primer design and PCR, gel electrophoresis, Southern and/or Western blot analyses.

The researcher will maintain a detailed notebook, tabulate and graph data, and independently interpret results.

The researcher will be expected to read relevant scientific literature as suggested by the investigation and to identify relevant facts, techniques, and procedures from the primary literature.

The candidate will be expected to contribute to manuscript writing, generate figures, tables, and results related to their research, and write up the methods section and main results/findings related to their research.

10% Laboratory Coordination: The candidate will be involved in the operational leadership and maintenance of the laboratory. Tasks include developing and implementing protocols, data management, curation, and analysis, ensuring lab safety, overseeing ordering, and assistance in the preparation of data for manuscripts and grants.

The candidate will work closely with other laboratory personnel to coordinate work schedules for execution of complex laboratory studies.

Required Qualifications (must be documented on application materials):
* BS in Biology, Chemistry, or related Biomedical Sciences
* At least 4 years of relevant research experience, or a combination of education and experience to equal at least 8 years.
* Significant research experience with yeast genetics and cell biology.
* Previous experience working in a microbiology laboratory.

Preferred Qualifications:
* Previous experience with some 'omics bench research (transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics or lipidomics).
* Experience with bioinformatics or R is strongly preferred.
* Eagerness to learn
* Strong written and oral communication skills
* Previous experience with manuscript preparation

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is a community of scholars committed to discovering and disseminating knowledge about the microbial world. Our interests and expertise encompass some of the most exciting areas of contemporary microbiology and immunology, ranging from the physiology and development of microorganisms, the molecular pathogenesis of infections, and fundamental aspects of immunity.

Pay Range: $29.28/hour ($60,905/annual) to $33.46/hour ($6,605/annual); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. This position requires that you attach a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for 2-3 professional references; all of which highlight the research expertise needed for this role.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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