Open positions in plant mechano-eco-evo-devo (Postdoctoral Scholar/Staff Scientist)

About this position

[Background of the recruitment and description of the project]

• Background of the recruitment and description of the project

The Biological Design Unit at OIST studies ‘How’ and ‘Why’ behind biological shape and structure. Why do plants have a slender body design in their shoots and roots, when it is not trivial to construct such shapes? Is there a strong evolutionary pull – benefits for fitness – to have such a biological design?

We research across the fields of biology, physics, and engineering to understand the cell and organ design in living organisms, especially plants. Plants are rooted in a habitat throughout their lives, constantly sensing and responding to a changing environment. They modify their developmental programs in response to physical cues, such as light, temperature, and mechanical stimuli (e.g., touch and wind).

The resulting changes in the cell and organ structure often underpin survival against environmental stressors. We study such structural solutions to biological fitness, combining approaches from cell and developmental biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology with physical functional analyses based on mechano-biology and biomechanics. We explore morphospace by creating structural variations using biomimetics (microfabrication) or developmental engineering (synthetic biology) and probe their physical functions in differential environmental conditions.

With such investigations, we aim to gain insights into the biological design better suited to survive through the changing climate.

We welcome applications from highly motivated, skilled, and considerate researchers who share our vision. Candidates should demonstrate a strong background in any of the following fields:

• (plant) developmental biology
• (plant) mechano-devo
• evo-devo
• eco-dev

We seek candidates interested in such projects as:

• Wind-induced remodelling of Arabidopsis shoot architecture – the molecular mechanisms and biological significance
• Morphospace functional mapping of Arabidopsis shoot architecture
• Form-function relationship of plant architecture in lab and field conditions

[Work content and job description]

1.Conducting rigorous and motivated research and innovation

2.Bring in and about intellectual stimulation and enthusiasm

3.Communicate and publish scientific findings and insights

4.Training and teaching younger generations

5.Contributing to the Unit's outreach activities

6.Constructing and maintaining a positive and collegial working environment in the Unit, at OIST, and with collaborators

7.Working and researching responsively and accountably

8.Taking full ownership of and driving one's career and personal development

• Assigned department

Existing departments

[Work location]

• Address

904-0412 Okinawa 国頭郡恩納村字谷茶1919-1

[Number of hired]

Number of hired:2 person(s)