BACKGROUND:
The Wurtele Laboratory at Iowa State University is seeking candidates to fill two positions: a Postdoctoral Research Associate and a Ph.D. Research Assistant in bioinformatics, to begin immediately or summer/fall 2010.

Web sites:
http://www.gdcb.iastate.edu/faculty/facultyDetail.php?id=111%20Wurtele
http://metnetonline.org

Related publications:
Li et al. (2009) Identification of the novel protein QQS as a component of the starch metabolic network in Arabidopsis leaves. Plant Journal, 58: 485-498. (Online at http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/121641416/HTMLSTART)

Mentzen and Wurtele ES. (2008) Regulon Organization of Arabidopsis. BMC Plant Biology. 8:99. (Online at http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2229/8/99)

POSITION 1: Postdoctoral Research Associate for Computational Modeling for Bioenergy

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The postdoctoral researcher would join a 3-year DOE-funded project focuses on elucidation of the metabolic and regulatory pathways that are important for production of bioenergy from a simple photosynthetic organism. It will integrate innovative, proprietary technical advances, global gene expression profiling experiments, and molecular and computer science approaches to develop a highly versatile and genetically tractable, microalgal-based platform for capturing solar energy and using it to convert atmospheric + waste CO2 to high-energy chemical products with biofuel applications. To evaluate multidimensional metabolomic and transcriptomic data, new computational approaches will need to be developed, applied, and made available to the public. These computational analyses will reveal how these genetic perturbations affect the metabolic network, and provide hypotheses for defining and ultimately refining the molecular factors that control accumulation of high value biomolecules. The ensuing software will have wide-ranging applications to research not only in bioenergy but also foods, the green chemical industry, and medicine.

REQUIREMENTS:
A Ph.D. in computer science or computational biology is required. A strong background in computer modeling techniques with some knowledge of database development and statistics is required. An understanding of biology/biochemistry as evidenced by coursework is preferred.

POSITION 2: Ph.D. Research Assistant for Modeling Metabolic and Regulatory Networks

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will join a team of scientists working to uncover novel signaling interactions in plant metabolic networks, in a project recently funded by the National Science Foundation (MCB#0951170, http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0951170). The candidate will model metabolic and regulatory networks.

REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants are expected to have strong skills in computer languages and some knowledge of or interest in learning about biological networks.

Both individuals will be part of a multidisciplinary team that includes computer scientists, computational biologists, molecular biologists and biochemists. The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate independence and creativity. Good oral and written skills and a strong publication record in refereed journals are required. We seek highly motivated researchers with demonstrated outstanding ability and accomplishment.

LOCALE:
The positions are located in state-of-the-art facilities at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

SALARY & COMPENSATION:
The positions offer competitive salary and benefits with the opportunity for professional growth and advancement.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applications should include a cover letter highlighting qualifications and research interests, current CV, publication list, transcripts and GRE and TOEFL (for non-native speakers of English) scores (not required for Postdoctoral Research Associate applicants). Have three letters/emails of reference sent from persons familiar with your professional qualifications, include your dissertation advisor as one of the three. For more information regarding application submission or project details, please contact Dr. Ling Li at liling[at]iastate.edu.