Applications are invited for a M.Sc. student position in the Department of Biology at the University of Western Ontario ( www.uwo.ca/biology ) starting in January or May 2024. The project aims to improve important traits in forage crops using gene editing approaches. The student will receive training in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, biochemistry, physiology and related areas. The student will conduct research at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Station, which houses state of the art facilities for molecular biology and genomics research, and is within a short distance from the University of Western Ontario campus. Financial support will be provided in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Biology.

We are seeking highly motivated candidates who are interested in long term research careers. Candidates must hold a B.Sc. (or are in their final year) in plant sciences, biology, biochemistry, or a related field. Interested individuals should contact Dr. Abdelali Hannoufa at Abdelali.Hannoufa@agr.gc.ca. 

Joan Laur, researcher-botanist at the Jardin botanique de Montréal and associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at University of Montréal, is looking for 4 students to join her team for a new and big multidisciplinary project starting this winter. The research project will focus on the use of omics technologies to characterize, optimize and reduce GHG emissions from the valorization of agri-food co-products in the context of urban agriculture in Montreal.

For further details, including project descriptions, eligibility requirements and how to apply, please click here.

A Ph.D. graduate student position is available in Dr. Hong Wang’s lab in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. The research areas are in plant cell cycle regulation and protein ubiquitination (for publications, please see: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?hl=en&user=S4vBhvMAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate). Building on the past work, there are exciting possibilities for further understanding the functions and regulation of the genes we have been working on, using molecular, cellular and genomics approaches.

Candidates should have strong academic background with a M. Sc. degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics or a related area of plant science and are highly motivated to do research. If a candidate’s first language is not English, he or she needs to meet the English language proficiency requirements for admission as a graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan
(https://grad.usask.ca/admissions/admission-requirements.php).

If you are interested in the position, please send a copy of your CV (listing names of 2-3 references) and brief description of your research interests to:

Hong Wang (hong.wang@usask.ca)

A funded graduate student position is available to study peptide signaling controlling plant growth and development in the Lee laboratory at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The selected student will combine molecular genetics, biochemistry, imaging, and proteomics to understand how cells interact to control diverse developmental processes in the plant model organisms, Arabidopsis (for dicots) and Brachypodium (for monocots). The student will be under the guidance of Drs. Jin Suk Lee (Concordia) and Jeong Ill Kim (Kumho Life and Environmental Science Laboratory). Please contact Dr. Lee (jinsuk.lee@concordia.ca) for additional information regarding the project and position.

Concordia is a full-spectrum, research-intensive university that conducts leading-edge research in a variety of areas including cell and molecular biology. The collegial environment, state-of- the-art facilities, and accomplished faculty make the Biology Department at Concordia a great place to conduct graduate research. Montreal is a great place to live and located in cultural capital Quebec.

We are interested in highly motivated candidates with background in molecular biology, with good communication skills. Research experience in protein biochemistry or plant biology is preferred, but not required. Diversity is considered a strength within the lab and all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for this position.

Interested applicants are welcome to apply by submitting a single PDF containing curriculum vitae, a brief description of research experience, and contact information for two references. Email your application by August 30, 2023 to Dr. Jin Suk Lee (jinsuk.lee@concordia.ca) with subject heading ‘Graduate student position application’.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Postdoc position studying forest dynamics and tree resilience to climate change impacts using high resolution drone-based imagery

The FastPheno project is soliciting applications for a postdoctoral position at the University of Toronto.

The individual will be working as part of a larger team including researchers from the University of Toronto, Université Laval, Natural Resources Canada, and the Ministry of Forests, Fauna and Parcs of Quebec. Our team combines the next generation of high-throughput drone-based phenotyping platforms, plant ecophysiological and genomics approaches to better understand forest dynamics and tree resilience to climate change impacts. The successful candidate will be based in Toronto and work in an interdisciplinary team of researchers of the four participating organizations in a highly collaborative environment.

If you have a background or interest in one or several of the following areas, you should send us your application: High resolution image classification, remote sensing of vegetation, data sciences, computer sciences, bioinformatics, statistical modelling, environmental sciences, ecophysiology of plants, and ecology of trees.

Qualifications

The postdoc will take leads in the FastPheno project activities on drone-based collection and processing of hyperspectral and LiDAR data from multiple experimental field sites and forest stands located in Quebec and Southern Ontario. The focus will be on improving our existing data analysis pipeline, including the identification of trees, assessing health and fitness of individual trees, and estimating structural features of vegetation using deep learning approaches. Candidates must hold a PhD in remote sensing, geoinformatics, plant biology, forestry, or a related field. Strong background in image classification, big data analysis and experience with deep learning algorithms is required.

Preferred skills include:

• ·         Proficiency in optical (hyperspectral and multispectral) and LiDAR remote sensing, photogrammetry.
• ·         Experience in preprocessing and analysis of VHR optical and LiDAR remote sensing data.
• ·         Good understanding of object-oriented programming in Python and C++, sell scripting, relational databases.
• ·         Experience with GDAL Geospatial libraries, QGIS/ArcGIS and GRASS, point cloud processing tools such as LasTools or CloudCompare.
• ·         Knowledge in cloud computing platforms such as Azure, cluster computing and job schedulers such as SLURM.
• ·         Experience with retrieval of plant physiological and structural information using hyperspectral or LiDAR information is an advantage.

Postdoctoral candidates must have received their PhD after January 2019. Candidates must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, willingness to work independently and in a collaborative team environment, and a track record of timely completion of projects and publications.

Applications

Potential applicants should send their CV, a list with the names and contact information of 2-3 references and a max. one1 page motivation letter in a single PDF file to ensmingerlab@utoronto.ca. Use the words Application Postdoc High Resolution Imagery in the subject line of your email. The review of applications will commence immediately until the position is filled.

About the position

The ensmingerlab is highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary and inclusive. We affirm diversity, creativity, integrity and ambition. For questions, please email ensmingerlab@utoronto.ca. For further information on the lab or the FastPheno project please visit the lab website https://ensminger.csb.utoronto.ca/or the FastPheno website https://www.fastpheno.com/.

Postdoctoral Position in Plant Molecular Physiology and Genomics

University of Manitoba, Canada

A postdoctoral research fellow position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Ayele at the University of Manitoba to investigate hormonal regulation of traits of economic importance including abiotic stress tolerance in cereals. The successful candidate must have a Ph.D. degree in plant biology or a related discipline with solid experience in standard and emerging molecular biology techniques, and use of genomics/genetics approaches such as gene cloning and vector construction, plant tissue culture, generation and analysis of mutants and genetic variants. Knowledge in bioinformatics such as transcriptome and next generation sequence data analysis and online database usage is required. Experience in the use of analytical techniques would be an asset. Candidates must have demonstrated skills in interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and publications in peer reviewed journals. The successful candidate must be able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team and will be expected to demonstrate research productivity through publication in relevant refereed journals. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The initial appointment is for one year but renewable contingent upon satisfactory progress.

 

Interested candidates should send (1) cover letter explaining the research interests, (2) CV, and (3) contact information including phone numbers for 3 references by email to Dr. Ayele at belay.ayele@umanitoba.ca.

A graduate student position is available immediately in the laboratory of Dr. Yang Xu at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph. The Xu Lab is seeking a highly motivated MSc student with a strong interest in plant lipid biology. Please see the posting details here.  

For those who are interested, please forward cover letter, CV, transcripts, and the names of three references to Dr. Xu by email (yangxu@uoguelph.ca).  

The Plant Systems Biology and Agricultural Microbial Ecology Groups at the University of Manitoba are seeking a PhD student researcher to study interactions between plant roots and microbial inoculants using phenotypic screening, biochemical and physiological characterization, and functional genomic tools. The selected candidate will join a large multi- year, multi-institutional project, including academic and industry partners, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural systems by leveraging microbial inoculants to promote crop nutrient uptake.

This project requires us to meet performance and reporting deadlines, but the selected candidate will have some latitude to explore and develop their own ideas within the context of the project. There will be opportunities for collaboration within our groups and across our network, and to pursue professional development activities.

Applicant qualifications

• BSc or MSc in plant biology, microbiology, molecular biology, or a related discipline.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a diverse team.

• Desire to learn and develop skills as scientist, writer, and communicator.

• Ability to perform experiments precisely and correctly according to laboratory protocols.

• Ability to manage time and efforts to ensure that the goals of their project and graduate program are being met.

• Ability to communicate freely and clearly with their supervisors and lab mentors with results, errors, delays, etc.

  Research and training

  The successful candidate will develop skills in a wide variety of areas including building and maintaining microbial inoculant collections, performing and analyzing high throughput plant phenotyping screens, and undertaking detailed physiological and molecular analyses of plant- inoculant interactions. The student will learn skills in hypothesis development, experimental design, and data analysis in R, and will be expected to cultivate skills in project management and within-team communication, scientific writing, and oral presentations. We will provide support for development in these areas. All research personnel will be required to participate in team meetings, to share data and progress, and to take ownership of their research projects. Our labs are diverse and collaborative workplaces that are committed to building an environment of integrity and respect where science and scientists can flourish.

  Application Process and Funding

  Review of applications will begin on June 12th, and position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified. Interested applicants should send a letter stating their interest in this position, a complete CV, academic transcripts, and contact information for three references to matthew.bakker@umanitoba.ca AND olivia.wilkins@umanitoba.ca. Only shortlisted candidates will receive follow up communication.

Download the full job posting here

Wilkins Lab

Department of Biological Sciences University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Plant Systems Biology Group (www.oliviawilkinslab.com)

The MSc student will join a multi-year (2023-2026), multi-institutional project funded through the NSERC-FRQNT NOVA grants program. The interdisciplinary project includes a team of early career researchers and trainees working together to study the role of postranslational modifications in gene regulation.

Download the full opportunity posting here.

Start Date: September 1, 2023 or January 1, 2024

Details for formal applications (post-selectioon by Wilkins Lab)

Application details: hUps://umanitoba.ca/explore/programs-of-study/biological-sciences-msc UM deadlines for admission are as follows:

• Canadian and US applicants
  o September start – June 1st to January start – October 1st

• International applicants
  o January start – July 1st

Position Title / Rank: Assistant Professor in Bean Breeding and Computational Biology

Department: Plant Agriculture

Date Posted: March 29, 2023

Deadline: June 1, 2023 or until a suitable candidate is found

Please reference AD #23-17

Position Description:

The Department of Plant Agriculture, Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Plant Breeding, at the Assistant Professor level. This position is located at the Guelph campus and requires a PhD in Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, or closely related field.

The successful candidate will demonstrate teaching excellence in plant genetics and plant breeding, including quantitative genetics and genomics, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. They will supervise MSc and PhD students in their thesis research, and also contribute to instruction in a course-based Masters program in Plant Agriculture. The chosen candidate will manage an existing, successful breeding program developing commercially viable edible bean cultivars adapted to the Ontario production environment, and will develop and lead a comprehensive, externally funded research program.

The successful candidate will join a world-class, collaborative faculty in the Department of Plant Agriculture, with members conducting cutting-edge research in the disciplines of plant breeding and genetics, weed science, plant pathology, soil science, agronomy, plant physiology, plant conservation, and plant-based bioproducts. Salary is negotiable and commensurate with qualifications. The department will provide competitive research start-up funds; other research support and subsidized access to research facilities is available through the Research Alliance Agreement between the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Department of Plant Agriculture is Canada’s largest and most diverse applied plant biology department in Canada and has recognized strengths in a broad cross-section of plant sciences including agronomy, horticulture, breeding, molecular genetics, genomics, controlled environment systems, plant physiology, post-harvest physiology, plant pathology, and plant-based bioproducts. The Department currently has 30 faculty members and employs 100 staff and more than 100 graduate students. Faculty within the Department have access to modern laboratory, growth room and greenhouse facilities, as well as fourteen well-equipped research stations across the province. As part of the Ontario Agricultural College, Plant Agriculture has a long history of achievement in serving the agriculture and agri-food industries within Ontario and beyond.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of approximately 130,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across over 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our university community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

Assessment of applications will begin on June 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications should consist of the following materials in a single PDF file:

1. Letter of interest
2. Teaching philosophy statement (1 page)
3. Research interests statement: short- and long-term (1 Page)
4. Curriculum vitae
5. EDI Statement: Describe the strategies you will use to foster inclusion and support a diverse community in your research program and classrooms (300 word maximum)
6. References: Contact information for three (3)

Email applications to:

Dr. Hugh Earl, Chair
c/o Jen Kingswell, Chair's Administrative Assistant
Department of Plant Agriculture
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
Email: applypag@uoguelph.ca 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g., parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.

The University of Guelph resides on the ancestral lands of the Attawandaron people and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit and we offer our respect to our Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Métis neighbours as we strive to strengthen our relationships with them.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion  (https://uoguel.ph/ox2p9) is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

If you require a medical accommodation during the recruitment or selection process, please contact Occupational Health and Wellness at 519-824-4120 x52674.