Chloroplast Biochemistry and Gene Regulation

The Stern Laboratory at the Boyce Thompson Institute invites applications for a Research Technician to participate in two projects, one focused on RNA quality control in the chloroplast, and the other on exploring and modifying C4 photosynthetic pathways. Relevant experimental skills may include photosynthetic measurements in living plants, genetic crosses, routine molecular biology techniques, and protein biochemistry including the expression and purification of recombinant proteins. Successful applicants will have a passion for research, familiarity with using academic literature, outstanding organizational skills, the ability to critically analyze using statistical tools, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. If an individual does not have experience in one or more of these areas, training will be provided. Applicants with a BS, or who will complete their BS in the near future, will be considered, with salary based on experience.

Our laboratory focuses on chloroplast biology, and this position crosses between two projects, one honing in on a vitally important post-transcriptional mechanism, and the other delving into the regulation of primary carbon assimilation. Thus, a variety of skills will be learned as time allows. Some of the results obtained may be relevant to the applied goal of engineering photosynthesis for improved agricultural productivity, although we are mainly driven by curiosity into life processes. We collaborate with other groups with complementary expertise, and learning from those groups will be an additional facet of the experience.

The Boyce Thompson Institute is located on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, NY. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a small, friendly and skilled team in the research-focused atmosphere of BTI. BTI sponsors a Postgraduate Society that organizes a range of synergistic training and professional development activities such as individualized mentoring, bioinformatics, and leadership opportunities. We welcome diverse applicants with a range of career goals. As such, applicants should provide both professional experience and a cover letter outlining their current career goals and hopes for professional development in this position. The position will be open until filled, and will be available on a mutually agreed date as early as January 4, 2027.

References:

Hotto, A., Gartner, S., Eshenour, K., & Stern, D. B. (2026). Complementation of a Setaria Rubisco activase mutant with Agave Rubisco activase restores growth and photosynthesis. bioRxiv, 2026-08.

Baudry, K., Skiada, S., Burstein, C., Liveanu, V., Liehrmann, A., Ceminsky, M., ... & Stern, D. B. (2026). The GT1 domain of RNase J ensures RNA quality control through dsRNA binding in Arabidopsis plastids. Nucleic Acids Research, 54(3), gkag033.

Hotto, A.M., Gartner, S., Eshenour, K., Stern, D.B. (2025) The a form of Rubisco activase supports photosynthesis during heat stress in the absence of the ß form in Setaria viridis. J. Exp. Biol. 76:5930-5945

Salesse-Smith, C.E., Sharwood, R.E., Busch, F.A., Stern, D.B. (2019) Increased Rubisco content in maize mitigates chilling stress and speeds recovery. Plant Biotech. J. 1-12

Successful applicants will have a passion for research, familiarity with using academic literature, outstanding organizational skills, the ability to critically analyze using statistical tools, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. If an individual does not have experience in one or more of these areas, training will be provided. Applicants with a BS, or who will complete their BS in the near future, will be considered, with salary based on experience.