Postdoctoral Fellow

Summary: The Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development (CCSD) at the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) seeks to hire a full-time postdoctoral scholar to work in the Conservation Genetics Laboratory (Lead scientist, Dr. Christy Edwards) on a grant-funded project to investigate the evolutionary history and population structure of plants native to central Florida. The candidate will use a RAD-seq approach to 1) reconstruct the phylogeny and clarify species boundaries of several Florida native plant clades; 2), conduct a comparative phylogeographic study of three co-occurring plant species that occupy the Florida panhandle, 3) analyze the population structure of fire-adapted, clonal species that occur in Florida dry prairie habitats. The postdoc will also assist MBG scientists with coordinating grant-funded activities including mentoring of students, organizing and participating in outreach events and workshops, presenting lectures to professional organizations, and preparing and submitting manuscripts for publication. They will prepare scientific papers as leading author and also will interact with Garden staff and other collaborators to prepare collaborative scientific papers. The successful candidate will work closely with MBG scientists active in systematics, biogeography, conservation genetics, conservation biology, and ecology, and will also actively engage with collaborators in Florida and colleagues at MBG and in the broader St. Louis Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation community. This individual will conduct daily operations of assigned project or program without direct supervision.

The position will be based in St. Louis, where a vibrant community of ecologists, conservation practitioners, and evolutionary biologists interact through partnerships among MBG, Washington University, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Saint Louis University, plus other area institutions. The position will be seated in the CCSD, which explores and implements new, science-based approaches to the conservation and sustainable use of plant diversity. CCSD's strategies for conservation are based on a sound, scientific understanding of the occurrence and distribution of plants. CCSD applies the knowledge of plant diversity accumulated by Missouri Botanical Garden researchers over many years, making that knowledge usable for conservation planning and decision-making. Operating under the auspices of the Garden and as part of its division of Science and Conservation, CCSD builds upon the Garden's institutional expertise, scientific programs, influence and resources.

Candidates should have completed a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Botany, Genetics, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, or a related field before the start date. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in several of the following: phylogenomics. phylogeography, population genomics, library preparation of high-throughput DNA sequencing libraries (i.e., rad-seq, genotyping-by-sequencing), bioinformatics, and statistical analysis of phylogenomic and population genomic data.

Please attach a CV and cover letter with application. Review of applications will begin May 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Ideal start date is summer 2025 (Sept-Nov), but start date is negotiable. The term for this grant-funded position will be up to 2.0 years, with renewal in the 2nd year contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funding. Salary will be commensurate with experience, and this position includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Travels to Florida and conducts field work as needed.
• Curates collections of herbarium specimens and DNA samples for the project
• Conducts independent research involving generation of phylogenomic and population genomic data in the laboratory
• Takes a leadership role in the analysis of RAD-seq data using computational approaches using programs such as R, STACKS, iPyrad, raxML, IQtree, STRUCTURE, diyABC-RF, dadi.
• Prepares manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Leads workshops, participates in scientific meetings and delivers lectures to professional organizations and to the general public as requested.
• Fosters strong relationships with collaborators and partner organizations.
• May provide leadership, direction and training to graduate and undergraduate students, interns and volunteers. May supervise junior staff and provide guidance for their career development..

• Participates in lab meetings, journal clubs, and MBG's weekly seminar series.

• Reviews scientific papers and grant proposals as requested.

• Demonstrates highest level of professional and ethical conduct.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines, methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no staff supervisory responsibilities; the position may lead and direct undergraduate students, interns or volunteers.

Core Competencies

• Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
• Collaboration:Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
• Accountability:Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
• Problem Solving:Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
• Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Strong background including a minimum of six (6) months prior experience or coursework in one or more of the following fields: population genetics, evolutionary biology, quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, genomics, botany, and conservation science.

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  • Previous experience using standard laboratory techniques to extract DNA and process genetic samples required.
  • Previous experience analyzing high-throughput DNA sequence data required. .
  
  
  
  

• Interest in native plant conservation.
• Prior experience writing scientific papers, grant proposals and reports.
• Experience in experimental design and implementation, statistical analyses, synthesizing, interpreting, and communicating scientific information.
• Willingness and flexibility to conduct field work.

• Some understanding of financial budget development/management and forecasting process to effectively manage grant's budget.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; professional, speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; is tactful and treats others with respect.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively at all levels; working with diverse teams including international colleagues required.

• Ability to travel (local/domestic) as needed, including occasional overnight travel.

• The requirements and duties listed above are representative and do not constitute an exhaustive list of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Education and/or Experience:

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  • Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology, botany, population genetics, restoration science, conservation science, or related discipline required.
  
  
  
  

Computer Skills:

• Bioinformatics and statistical analysis skills are particularly desirable.

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Word and Excel programs required; strong working knowledge of Outlook features required and PowerPoint preferred.
• Solid Internet research skills.

• Ability to use e-mail to communicate with MBG staff in order to answer questions and service their needs.

Other Skills and Abilities: Exceptional public speaking skills required.

Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written); skills with other languages highly desirable.

Mathematical Skills:

• Advanced college math aptitude - requires the ability to perform algebra equations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc.
• Ability to work with statistics.
• Ability to analyze budgets.

Reasoning Ability: Requires ability to conduct independent research and to actively participate in team work; apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution; represent the interests and projects a positive image of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license.

Physical Demands:.

• Ability to walk up to three miles on uneven terrain and on and off trails.
• Must be able to work in high heat/humidity.
• Ability to lift 35 lbs. and over.
• Manual dexterity to use a lab equipment to generate scientific data or a computer keyboard for the purpose of accurately communicating, writing, and managing research data.
• Operates copier, printer, fax, and computer.

• Ability to walk about facility frequently throughout work day, and sit for extended periods of the work day (may sit up to 50% of work day).
• Ability to travel independently for long periods on airplanes, trains and other conveyances both domestic and international.
• Ability to walk, stand, kneel, or climb as required and move about for extended periods of time in both indoor and outdoor environments.

• Physical fitness necessary for field studies in difficult terrain.

• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights and at high altitudes.
• Ability to understand field safety protocols and wear Personal Protective Equipment, as needed.

Work Environment:

• Indoor office and laboratory environment.
• Occasional exposure and handling of laboratory chemicals according to MSD guidelines.
• Occasional field work, outdoors in temperatures of (100F or more), humid conditions, in rain and other inclement weather conditions and some uncomfortable conditions (i.e. wet, mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, etc.) as needed.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Missouri Botanical Garden:

• Garden employees and volunteers

• Collaborators, Guests and International Scientists
• Professional Organizations
• Governmental Officials
• Colleges/Universities

Supervisor (title not person): Scientist 4 for Conservation Genetics