Research Assistant (Part-Time) - Topp Lab

The Topp Laboratory at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (St. Louis, Missouri) has an immediate opportunity for two highly motivated individuals to join our team and fill a part-time (~20 hours per week) Research Assistant position. The Topp Lab’s research program focuses on understanding the genetics underlying root system architecture in plants to engineer crops to be more resilient to the pressures of climate change. For more information about our research program, please visit our website. This entry-level position will involve research into VR software as well as image segmentation.

Responsibilities:

• Root imaging in various capacities such as camera, scanning, or other
• Introductory image manipulation and segmentation
• Data management and hygiene
• General laboratory support in collecting and processing plant shoot, root, and soil tissues
• Assistance in field work including digging, lifting, collecting soil, taking measurements, documenting growth, etc.
• Other duties as assigned

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Demonstrated aptitude for organization and multitasking
• Demonstrated capacity to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and interactive research environment
• Demonstrated record keeping and communication skills
• Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship

Qualifications:

• High school diploma track with prior laboratory experience or relevant biology and chemistry coursework preferred, students currently enrolled in an Associate or Bachelor's Degree program in a science-related field encouraged to apply

Submission:

• CV
• Cover Letter
• Contact information for two (2) professional references

About the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center:

Founded in 1998, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science. Our focus is scientific research at the nexus of food, energy and the environment to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture. We assemble interactive teams of scientists and develop unique platforms to discover underlying principles about how plants work. We then convert that knowledge into useful crops and products, and partner with organizations that are best positioned to solve problems where they exist around the world. The Center’s work is funded through competitive grants from many sources, including the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as well as charitable contributions from individuals, companies, and foundations.

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is proudly an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions at the Danforth Center are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It is our policy that the Danforth Center does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin and status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided on this web site, please contact People & Culture, at 314-587-1033 for further assistance.