Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Cannabis Genetics and Genomics

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 [email protected] . 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).

This posting is for the UBC Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada.

Please refer to reference number NC-56993 during correspondence about this position.

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.

About UBC
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Postdoctoral Fellows at UBC Vancouver
UBC is home to over 900 postdocs spanning all faculties and units across two campuses and a variety of affiliated hospitals, research centres, and sites, providing unparalleled opportunities to learn, discover and contribute in one’s own way. UBC’s Postdoctoral Fellows Office (PDFO) is committed to supporting the lives and career aspirations of our Postdocs, with the goal of enriching their experience at UBC and preparing them for the future. In addition to providing support and advocacy for all postdocs, the PDFO is dedicated to providing professional development opportunities that foster the development of soft skills needed in today’s professional environments, helping them secure future careers in their chosen fields.

About UBC’s Faculty of Science
UBC Science brings together a community of scholars internationally recognized for its commitment to discovery and innovation—in the lab and in the classroom. Our faculty conduct top-tier research in the life, physical, earth and computational sciences, driving insights into sustainability, biodiversity, human health, nanoscience, new materials, probability, artificial intelligence, exoplanets and more. Ranked among the world’s top 40 universities, UBC’s research prowess in environmental science, math, physics, plant and animal science, computer science, geology, oceanography and biology is consistently rated best in Canada by international and national rankings.

About Vancouver
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