The Todesco lab in the Michael Smith Laboratories at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada invites applications for a full time Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, to work on a project on the genetic regulation of flowering time in cannabis.
Project: Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated plants, and has been grown for thousands of years across large parts of the globe, for a variety of different purposes (production of seeds, fibers in hemp-type cannabis; of cannabinoids in drug-type cannabis). The successful candidate will join a project aimed at understanding how diversity at one of the most fundamental developmental and adaptive traits in plants, flowering time, is regulated in cannabis. The candidate will study how genetic control of flowering time differs between lines that have different domestication histories (i.e. drug-type vs. hemp-type), and how variation for this trait affects plant development, yield, and cannabinoid production. This knowledge will help develop cannabis strains that can be grown outdoor at higher latitudes, reducing the enormous carbon footprint associated with current indoor production. The project is part of a long-standing collaboration with the group of Dr. Loren Rieseberg in the Department of Botany at UBC, and with Aurora Cannabis, one of the global leading cannabis companies.
Candidate: We are hiring a post-doctoral researcher with a background in plant biology, quantitative genetics, genomics and/or bioinformatics. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in plant biology, genetics, molecular biology or similar fields. We are seeking a creative individual with strong interpersonal skills, and who is able to work well on a team. Experience in plant transformation/gene editing is advantageous but not required.
Application process: Interested candidates should submit a single PDF file including a cover letter, curriculum vitae including a publication list, and the names and contact information of three references to: Dr. Marco Todesco at mtodesco@msl.ubc.ca. This posting will remain open until March 31, 2023. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The position is available immediately, but start date is negotiable. The appointment will initially be for two years and is extendable depending on funding availability. Applicants are encouraged to apply for competitive fellowship awards. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, experience and awards secured.
Besides working on an exciting project as part of a multi-disciplinary team, the candidate will have the opportunity to be part of the Michael Smith Laboratories, one of Canada’s premiere bioengineering research institutes, and to interact and collaborate with leading scientists in a variety of different disciplines. Additionally, the position will be located on UBC’s campus in Vancouver, a city that is world-renowned for its quality of living, beautiful natural landscapes, and mild climate (by Canadian standards).
Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
