Biosciences Division Senior R&D Staff Member

Requisition Id 13698 

Overview: 

The Biosciences Division (BSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a mid-career or senior level Geneticist with a strong background in plant genomics, genetics, and bioinformatics to join our multi-disciplinary team of investigators exploring and understanding the network of genes, proteins, metabolites, and environmental signals that lead to improved plant characteristics and performance. The selected candidate will play a critical role in leading a broad, integrated approach to enhance fundamental understanding of genetic controls of plant productivity, biomass quality, and sustainability in bioenergy-relevant plants. We are particularly interested in candidates who can contribute research to the areas of genomic prediction, genomic selection, plant systems adaptation and resilience, and develop new capabilities towards these targeted areas. This candidate will have direct access to world-class facilities in high-speed computing (i.e., Frontier -- https://www.olcf.ornl.gov/frontier/), neutron characterization of soft tissues (i.e., SNS -- https://neutrons.ornl.gov/sns), and multi-modality imaging (i.e., the Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory -- https://www.ornl.gov/appl).

The successful candidate will have an opportunity to be assigned the Poplar Team lead role within the Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI -- https://cbi.ornl.gov/). CBI, an integrated, multidisciplinary enterprise, is one of four DOE BER Bioenergy Research Centers and is comprised of 17 partner institutions and approximately 260 scientist, technicians, post docs, and graduate students. CBI has a mission to deliver high-impact scientific and technological innovations through the development of process-advantaged feedstocks and consolidated conversion strategies at the forefront of the emerging bioeconomy. Conceived to foster a legacy of fundamental scientific understanding, enabling capabilities and transformative innovations, CBI has identified four innovation targets that will enable the future bioeconomy: 1) development of high-yielding, process-advantaged, sustainable plant feedstocks, 2) creation of lower cost consolidated bioprocessing to produce fermentation intermediates, 3) valorization of lignin to biofuels and bioproducts, and 4) development of chemocatalytic conversion processes to produce a complete biomass-based sustainable aviation fuel.

At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, we believe that the most significant scientific advancements arise from collaborative efforts that transcend traditional disciplinary and group boundaries. As a Senior R&D Staff Member in the Biosciences Division, you will have the unique opportunity to work alongside experts from diverse fields, including multi-omics, computational systems biology, synthetic biology, microbiology, and environmental science. We foster a culture of interdisciplinary innovation, where your contributions will be integral to groundbreaking research initiatives aimed at addressing complex biological challenges. Join us in leveraging the power of collaborative science to push the frontiers of plant systems biology and make a lasting impact on bioenergy and sustainability.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate and apply cutting edge GWAS and genomic selection approaches in Populus leveraging our worldclass genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic resources.
• Provide leadership that focuses and integrates broad plant biology resources within BSD and direct efforts to meet CBI S&T goals.
• Develop and implement a vision for emerging perspectives in genetics and plant improvement.
• Investigate mechanisms of heterosis at the genomic scale.
• Leverage ORNL’s Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory (APPL) to characterize latent plant phenotypes related to drought tolerance, nutrient-use efficiency, and plant microbe interactions.
• Provide candidate genes lists for relevant phenotypes to the validation team.
• Lead and contribute to the preparation of scientific publications and presentations.
• Develop significant new research proposals and develop new client relationships.
• Deliver direct point-of-contact program management interface to sponsoring organizations.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners.
• Ensure the project deliverables and outcomes are consistent with expectations, budget, and schedule.
• Foster a diverse and inclusive work environment where every employee feels safe, heard, and appreciated.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace- in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Genomics, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Plant Biology or related fields.
• Expertise in genomic prediction, genomic selection and association studies.
• Six to ten years of experience in modern quantitative genetics.
• An international record of research/technical achievement, as evidenced by scholarly publications, patents, and/or funded research grants.
• A proven track record of communication through scientific publications, development and execution of an R&D vision and strategy.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills that can interact effectively with a broad spectrum of people and issues.
• Demonstrated team-based research and ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of DOE BER research programs and objectives.
• Effective leadership skills.

• Experience in woody plant research.
• Expertise in using high-performance computing clusters to manage and analyze large datasets.

Special Requirement: 

Work involves various physical requirements and working conditions. As such, a pre-hire physical will be required after offer.

Benefits at ORNL: 

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov or call 1.866.963.9545.

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This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.