Applications are invited for a Postdoc position in the Cheung lab at Georgia Tech. Our lab is located in the city of Atlanta, GA. Successful applicants will join an international team of biologists, biophysicists, and engineers to study leaf “breathing” valves called stomata.
Unlike most plants, stomata in grasses consist of four cells, which allow for a faster response to fluctuating light and humidity. This fast dynamic is one factor that explains the success of grasses in agriculture, with crops like maize, rice, and wheat providing more than half of all calories consumed by humans. This project aims to develop mechano-metabolic models that integrate the role of sugar metabolism with cell morphology and mechanics in stomatal movement.
Successful applicants will be in charge of developing and deploying genetically encoded biosensors in the model grass Brachypodium distachyon. This opportunity will provide training in synthetic biology, quantitative imaging, and computational modeling.
Candidates must have or be close to obtaining a Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Systems Biology, Genetics, or related field by the Fall of 2021. Experience in confocal microscopy and molecular biology, at any level, is also required. The successful applicant will be self-motivated and have a proven track record of designing and publishing scientific research.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Appointments will be made initially for one year with the option to renew for two more years. International travel to visit collaborators in Canada and Germany will be necessary.
To apply, send a two-page resume including the contact information of 3 professional references and a cover letter describing your previous experience and why you are interested in our work to lily.cheung@gatech.edu. We look forward to hearing from you!