{"id":3565956,"url":"https://alion.io/job/donald-danforth-plant-science-center-postdoctoral-associate","title":"Postdoctoral Associate","company":{"id":1868259,"name":"Donald Danforth Plant Science Center","domain":"danforthcenter.org","url":"https://alion.io/company/danforthcenter","size_band":"501-1000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Paycom","truth_index":null},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Saint Louis, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":62000,"max_usd":170000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":3270},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-31T11:04:56Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-31","last_verified_at":"2026-11-04T04:50:23Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":3,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":3},"description":"The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is seeking a full-time postdoctoral researcher to join the Zhang Lab for a collaborative project focused on improving thermotolerance in pennycress, a promising oilseed cover crop.\nCover crops like pennycress play a vital role in sustainable agriculture - improving soil health, preventing erosion, and suppressing weeds - while also giving farmers a valuable second cash crop during the off-season. However, widespread adoption is currently limited by a key agronomic challenge: pennycress must be planted in late summer, when temperatures often exceed the thresholds required for successful seedling establishment. This postdoctoral researcher will investigate the genetic mechanisms that allow pennycress to survive and thrive during high-temperature planting windows, without compromising its cold tolerance. The work will involve pennycress plants grown under both greenhouse and field conditions, offering a rich, applied research experience with direct relevance to real-world agricultural sustainability.\nThe Zhang Lab, based at the Danforth Center in St. Louis, Missouri, studies how photosynthetic organisms, including green algae and land plants, respond to abiotic stresses such as high temperature and light, with a particular focus on how these stresses affect photosynthesis. Learn more about the lab's work at ruzhanglab.org.\nThis position is part of an exciting multi-lab cluster hire initiative aimed at improving food and cover crops to advance global food security, agricultural sustainability, and innovation.\nResponsibilities:\nUse published or available omics datasets to identify gene candidates\nGrow, phenotype, and harvest pennycress plants in greenhouses or the field \nPerform photosynthetic measurements in pennycress plants \nGenerate and characterize pennycress transgenic plants\nSummarize research results and write related manuscripts\nMentor undergraduate and/or high school interns as needed\nHelp coordinate the collaboration between different teams\nContributes to related grant proposals with PI\nPerform other duties as assigned \nOpportunities & Development:\nTraining in plant physiology (especially photosynthesis), omics, high-throughput phenotyping\nEngage with collaborative labs with expertise in cover crops, transformation, and genetics\nHighly collaborative, well-resourced environment with access to the Center's world-class core facilities, including the Plant Growth Facility, Plant Transformation Facility, the Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory, the Bioanalytical Chemistry Facility, the Data Science Core, the Phenotyping Facility, and the Danforth Field Research Site. \nOpportunities for professional development and networking.\nRequired knowledge, skills, and abilities:\nHighly motivated, goal-oriented, and productive individual \nConduct research projects in a timely manner, with the expectation of meeting deadlines\nHave great passion for plant science\nStrong attention to details \nHave strong background in molecular biology and/or genetics\nBe able to organize, multitask their time efficiently\nWork both independently and collaboratively within a collaborative and interactive research environment\nEffective communication skills and open-minded for scientific discussion\nAbility to produce high-quality oral and written research products\nStrong problem solving and critical thinking skills\nCandidates who have experience with photosynthesis, plant stress responses, or field research are especially encouraged to apply \nLive the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship\nQualifications\nPh.D. in Plant, Molecular or Cell Biology or related field\nSubmission Instructions:\nPlease include a 1-2 page cover letter describing academic background, research experience, research interest, and career goals\nCV\nContact information for 3 professional references","description_format":"text","description_chars":3937,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"phd","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Professional 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