<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Dear colleagues,<br><br>I am writing to inform you of a faculty search for a plant biochemist/molecular biologist (tenure track Assistant Professor) in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UMass Amherst. The advertisement for the position, which appeared in the Jan 7 issue of Science, is appended below. We are particularly interested in recruiting a plant biochemist who will complement the research strengths of the department and who will contribute to campus initiatives in biofuels research. Massachusetts and the UMass campus are making significant investments to expand the life sciences on campus, including two new laboratory science buildings that will be completed in the next two years. The faculty member would join a highly active and growing life science community that offers numerous opportunities for collaborative interactions. The Plant Biology Program (<a href="http://www.bio.umass.edu/plantbio/">http://www.bio.umass.edu/plantbio/</a> ) at UMass consists of an interactive group of faculty from five departments with interests in all aspects of plant science. The group has been steadily growing over the past several years, and we are now the largest plant biology program in New England. In addition, faculty also have the opportunity to interact with the larger life sciences community through the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program (<a href="http://www.bio.umass.edu/mcb/">http://www.bio.umass.edu/mcb/</a>), a larger graduate program that includes all molecular life scientists at UMass and the surrounding five college network.<br>The UMass campus is actively involved in energy research through several interdisciplinary efforts, including the Massachusetts Institute for Biofuels Research (<a href="http://www.ecs.umass.edu/timbr/index.html">http://www.ecs.umass.edu/timbr/index.html</a> ), which brings together plant biologists, microbiologists, and chemical and process engineers to address fundamental problems in biofuels research. Recently, a group of eight investigators formed the Brachypodium Consortium (<a href="http://www.bio.umass.edu/brachypodium/">http://www.bio.umass.edu/brachypodium/</a>), a group of plant biologists and microbiologists who use brachypodium as a model for feedstock development. As such, we are at the forefront of research to develop this new model system to address problems specific to the grasses.<br>We would greatly appreciate your assistance in identifying individuals that would be interested in applying for the position. The UMass campus and the surrounding valley offer a rich academic environment, and we are committed to supporting our new faculty with competitive start up packages and mentoring programs. Feel free to distribute the advertisement to postdocs and colleagues. If you would like more information, please contact me.<br><br>Sincerely,<br>Jennifer<div><br></div><div><!--StartFragment--><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 112.3pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Department
of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology </span>invites applications from
Ph.D.-level scientists for <b>a tenure-track </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:
normal">position at the level of <span style="text-transform:uppercase;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">ASSISTANT professor</span></b>. </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">We seek candidates working
in areas of plant biochemistry and molecular biology that complement existing
Departmental and campus strengths in cellular biochemistry, including signal
transduction, membrane biology, metabolism, gene expression and regulation, and
cytoskeletal organization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The position is one of several on campus to expand an
existing cluster focused on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">biofuels and renewable energy research</i></b>.
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">We are
particularly interested in candidates that complement ongoing programs within
The Institute of Massachusetts Biofuels Research (TIMBR), an interdisciplinary
group of biologists, chemists and engineers focused on renewable energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The successful candidate will </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">have access to students from several interdepartmental
graduate programs and will participate in teaching at both undergraduate and
graduate levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 112.3pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><p class="MsoBlockText" style="margin-right:112.3pt;text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The Five College Consortium, comprised of Smith
College, Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Hampshire College, and the
University of Massachusetts Amherst, provides a rich academic and intellectual
environment. The Department is strongly committed to increasing the diversity
of the faculty, student body, and curriculum. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 112.3pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 112.3pt; margin-left: 1in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Applicants should send curriculum vitae, a
description of research interests, and three letters of recommendation to: Prof.
Jennifer Normanly at <a href="pbsearch@biochem.umass.edu">pbsearch@biochem.umass.edu</a>
or Biofuels/Renewable Energy Search, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, LGRT
913, 710 N. Pleasant St., University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Review of applications will begin January
15, 2010 and continue until the position is filled.<o:p></o:p></span></div><p class="MsoBodyText" align="center" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:112.3pt;
margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:1.0in;text-align:center;tab-stops:58.5pt 184.5pt 423.0pt 6.0in 7.25in"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoBodyText" align="center" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:112.3pt;
margin-bottom:6.0pt;margin-left:1.0in;text-align:center;tab-stops:58.5pt 184.5pt 423.0pt 6.0in 7.25in"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The
University of Massachusetts is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Women and members of minority groups
are encouraged to apply.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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