Postdoctoral Position in Grape Genomics
Posted on April 28, 2025
A two-year postdoctoral research position is available starting July 1, 2025 in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Drs. Simone D. Castellarin, and will be affiliated to the Applied Biology program. The Faculty of Land and Food System is located in the vibrant and beautiful city of Vancouver (BC, Canada). The expected salary range is $60,000 – $65,000 CAD.
The postdoctoral fellow will make a vital contribution to the funded project entitled: HEAT-GRAPE: Identification of transcripts and metabolites involved in HEAT-stress responses in GRAPEvine, and their responses to mitigation strategies. The project aims to: i) understand how major grape cultivars grown in British Columbia cope with heat stress and identify the biological mechanisms (pathways, genes, and metabolites) that are involved in heat-stress responses, ii) determine the impact of heat stress on grape productivity and quality in grapevines that are well-irrigated or exposed to water deficit due to limitations on irrigation water, and iii) understand the mode of action of biostimulants so that their application can be tuned specifically to mitigate heat stress.
Specific research activities include i) implementing irrigation and biostimulant treatments in research fields and growth chambers, ii) sampling leaf and grape samples from field and greenhouse experiments, iii) extracting RNA and metabolites from leaf and grape samples, iv) conducting bioinformatic analyses on RNA-Seq datasets, v) analyzing metabolites with mass spectrometers (LC-QTOF, SPME-GC-MS), and vi) disseminating results and knowledge generated to the academic community and sector partners.
Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in Plant Science, Agricultural Sciences, Genomics, Molecular Biology, or a related field. Experience in plant physiology, applied genomics, metabolomics, and/or transcriptomics is preferred. Very strong communication skills (oral and written) are required. Student mentorship is expected.
Application process: Interested candidates should apply by May 15, 2025. Applicants can submit their CV and names of three referees to Dr. Simone D. Castellarin at simone.castellarin@ubc.ca.
UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply. 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, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Selection Criteria: The selection of the candidate will be based on the following criteria: 1) a PhD in an appropriate field of research, 2) a sound knowledge of and demonstrated experience in plant or crop physiology, stress physiology, horticulture, and/or applied genomics, 3) ability to conduct high quality independent and innovative research with documented experience to carry work through to publication, 4) very strong oral and written communication skills, and 5) ability to work effectively both in an independent role and collaboratively with others in a diverse academic and industry settings.
