Faculty Research Assistant/Plant Molecular Geneticist

[Konstantin Krutovskii]

Position Number: 002-825

     Faculty Research Assistant/Research Associate, Plant Molecular 
     Genetics

     Location: Department of Forest Science, Oregon State University, 
     Corvallis, OR

     Date Available: March 1, 1997

     Closing Date: January 13, 1997 

     Position Responsibilities:     

     We seek a molecular geneticist to work as part of the Tree Genetic 
     Engineering Research Cooperative (TGERC) at Oregon State University. 
      The TGERC is a consortium supported by 13 Members, mostly forest 
     industries, that are seeking improved means for genetic manipulation 
     of poplar trees.  The applicant's primary responsibility in the Coop 
     will be production of novel plasmid constructs to be used in 
     Agrobacterium transformation, and analysis of the transgenic trees 
     produced.  They will work closely with other TGERC staff doing tissue 
     culture, transformation, and gene isolation.  The constructs will be 
     composed primarily of floral homeotic genes intended for induction of 
     sexual sterility; however, they will also work with other genes 
     relevant to ongoing Cooperative projects on insect, disease, and 
     herbicide resistance.  

     Specifically, responsibilities will include: 

     1.   Development of strategies for producing binary constructs with 
     various genes for Agrobacterium transformation of poplar.  

     2.   Configuration of genes and plasmid vectors, verifying 
     structure/sequence, and transformation into Agrobacterium strains.  

     3.   Analysis of transgenic plants for gene incorporation, 
     expression, and delivery of desired traits.  

     5.   Supervision of students, technicians, and other workers to 
     help carry out laboratory studies.

     6.   Participation in writing Coop reports and publications for 
     scientific journals.  

     7.   Effective oral communication of results at annual Coop meeting 
     and other scientific forums.  

     8.   Collaboration with Coop staff to write grants to obtain 
     supplemental funding for research.  

     Education and experience:    

     A B.S. degree in molecular genetics or a related field, and at 
     least two years of experience with recombinant DNA manipulation, 
     are essential.  Knowledge of plant molecular biology and experience 
     in plant transformation techniques are desirable.  Experience and 
     demonstrated competence in the following areas are particularly 
     important:

     1.   Advanced recombinant DNA manipulation of plasmid vectors. 

     2.   Molecular analyses, including DNA sequencing, PCR, and 
     Southern, northern, and western blots. 

     3.   Written and oral communication. 

     4.   Collaboration with colleagues, subordinates, and superiors. 

     5.   Long- and short-term organization and planning of work. 

     Employment conditions:

     The job will be filled at the rank of either Research Assistant 
     (B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.) or Research Associate (Ph.D.), depending 
     upon career track of candidate, in the Department of Forest Science 
     at Oregon State University.  We are also open to the applicant 
     taking a more scientific role in the work, as would Ph.D.s in a 
     Research Associate position (e.g., writing papers for publication), 
     or a more technical role, as would most with only a B.S. (limited 
     writing, mostly directed lab work).  The appointment is a 
     full-time, 12-month, fixed-term position; reappointment is at the 
     discretion of the Dean.  The employee will report directly to 
     Cooperative Director.  The salary will be in the range of $24,000 
     to $32,004/year, depending on qualifications.  Medical, dental, and 
     life insurance plans are available.  

     To apply:

     Send a letter of application describing your qualifications and 
     interests in the position, a resume, transcripts, and the names, 
     email addresses, and fax numbers of four references by January 13, 
     1997 to Sandra Lewis, Office Manager, Dept. of Forest Science, 020 
     Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, 
     OR 97331-7501.  For more information contact Prof. Steve Strauss, 
     phone 541/737-6578, email strauss at FSL.orst.edu, fax 541/737-1393.  


     OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY 
     EMPLOYER AND HAS A POLICY OF BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF 
     DUAL-CAREER COUPLES.