[PCA] Position open for Postdoctoral Researcher: Seed Ecology & Restoration at Chicago Botanic Garden

[Andrea Kramer]

Overview: The postdoctoral research associate will work for two years, leading a project on genetic and environmental controls on seed dormancy in native midwestern Viola species, and implications for seed production and restoration use. This project integrates greenhouse and lab work to understand how genotypic variation and phenotypic plasticity drive variation in conditions required to break dormancy in native violet species.

Purpose: This project is a collaboration among Andrea Kramer and Kay Havens of the Chicago Botanic Garden, and Linda MacKechnie of Ball Horticultural Company. The postdoc will be based at the Chicago Botanic Garden, with potential use of lab and greenhouses at Ball Horticultural Company. Because this project is a collaboration between different types of institutions (botanic garden and horticultural industry), there are unique opportunities for the postdoc to experience research, mentoring, and teaching in different environments.

Duties and Responsibilities: In this role you will be responsible for the following:
*Coordinate a greenhouse- and lab-based investigation of genotypic variation and phenotypic plasticity in germination traits of one or more native midwestern Viola.
*Co-mentor graduate student(s) as part of the graduate program in plant biology and conservation, associated with Northwestern University.
*Mentor undergraduate students (teaching and curriculum-development opportunities will be offered through the graduate program in plant biology and conservation, associated with Northwestern University).
*Liaise with native seed growers and land managers to develop additional research aimed at informing nursery production and restoration practices for native Viola.
*Lead publications arising from research.

Qualifications: Our ideal candidate will have the following:
*Ph.D. in botany, evolutionary biology, ecology, or a related field.
*Experience with quantitative genetics, preferably in the area of heritability and phenotypic plasticity.
*Experience with seed ecology.
*Experience, or desire to gain experience, with designing and applying research to inform restoration.

For more details, visit https://www.chicagobotanic.org/jobs/postdoctoral_researcher_seed_ecology_restoration or contact Andrea Kramer (akramer 'at' chicagobotanic.org)