This is a Biological Scientist II position located in Gainesville, FL, within Dr. Can Baysal's lab in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at the University of Florida's Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences Crop Transformation Center (UF/IFAS CTC). This position will manage day-to-day lab operations, utilizing moderately complex plant molecular biology techniques to transform and analyze plant genomes, and processing biological samples. This position work directly with and plays a key role in the overall functioning of the laboratory, including plant transformation, genome editing, and supporting scientific experiments and data analysis.

Laboratory Operations:

• Support the laboratory team by monitoring work quality and actively refining protocols to improve experimental efficiency and outcomes.
• Maintain detailed and accurate laboratory records, documenting research methods, procedures, and results.
• Manage day-to-day lab operations, including ordering supplies and lab equipment, ensuring their timely availability to support ongoing research activities.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date tracking of chemical and biological inventories, ensuring proper storage and handling.
• Implement and modify safety procedures, quality control, and testing procedures to maintain a safe and efficient working environment.
• Perform planting and harvesting activities in growth chambers and greenhouses, ensuring execution aligns with research goals. This includes preparing planting materials, cultivating and caring for plants, and collecting and storing seeds.

Research and Data Analysis:

• Conduct scientific experiments focused on plant transformation and genome editing. Optimize, and implement protocols for transforming various crop species (e.g., Virus mediated, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, particle bombardment).
• Design and construct oligos, DNA sequences for cloning into appropriate vectors. Isolate and purify DNA, RNA from plant samples for downstream applications.
• Perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplification of target genes and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) for gene expression analysis. Conduct western blotting to detect and analyze proteins of interest.
• Perform DNA sequencing and sequence analysis to validate constructs and identify mutations.
• Contribute to technical reports, research papers, scholarly articles, abstracts, and recommendations for the scientific community.

Training:

• Train undergraduate and graduate students, technicians, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scientists in general laboratory procedures, overseeing their research and collaborating with experimental activities.

Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field and three years of experience or Master’s degree in biology or a related field with one year of relevant experience.

• Strong expertise in laboratory management, including safety protocols and quality control standards.
• Prior experience in laboratory research, particularly in construct design, plant transformation (Agrobacterium-mediated, biolistic, virus-induced, or protoplast), genome editing, or related areas.
• Proficiency in data collection, entry, and management, with experience working with large datasets.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment while also taking initiative in individual tasks.