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Postdoctoral Research Associate

Employer
Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Location
Texas, United States
Salary
Salary Commensurate with experience
Date posted
Nov 17, 2021

Job Summary

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will lead existing and new projects focused on selecting methods and implementing molecular breeding tools for spinach and tomato breeding. The appointee will use Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Technology to conduct genetic association and linkage studies using breeding lines and worldwide germplasm collections to develop association panels and mapping populations. They will also explore and develop high-throughput phenotypic methods for yield estimation and resistance/tolerance screening under field conditions.

This position entails laboratory, greenhouse, and field work. The appointee will write progress reports and publications in a timely manner.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Design, establishment, maintenance of field, greenhouse, and laboratory screening/trials/experiments for the introgression of insect/disease resistance traits
  • Characterize at the molecular level mechanisms of resistance to pest and diseases in tomato and spinach
  • Write reports and publish findings in peer-review journals
  • Train personnel including graduate students
  • Support other breeding activities as required
  • Other duties as assigned

Education & Experience

REQUIRED:

  • PhD in plant genetics, plant genomics, plant breeding, or related area

HIGHLY PREFERRED:

  • PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics
  • Strong background in trait mapping

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Strong publication records in the area of plant genomics or plant improvement
  • Knowledge of molecular biology techniques (PCR, RT-qPCR, primer design, sequencing, etc.)
  • Strong statistical analyses skills; demonstrated skills and experience analyzing NGS data
  • Experience with execution of bioinformatic pipelines
  • Demonstrated experience with marker association studies in plants
  • Experience in high throughput phenotyping using Unmanned Aerial Systems (Preferred)
  • Lab, greenhouse, and field experience
  • Work independently and in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.
  • Ability to multi-task with both large and small-sized projects
  • Must have strong verbal and written communication skills for effectively communicating within team and since this position involves preparing research progress reports and assisting the PI in publications and grant writing activities
  • Ability to establish effective working relationships and work collaboratively with others.

Other Requirements

Willingness to work on flexible work schedules to accommodate timely completion of scientific experiments and other project needs.

Working Conditions

Initial appointment is for one year. This position is 100% grant funded. Renewal for additional year(s) is possible upon successful progress and funding availability.

Location

Weslaco is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 35,670, and in 2018 the estimated population was 41,171. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in the Rio Grande Valley near the Mexican border, across the Rio Grande from the city of Nuevo Progreso, Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas. The Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center in Weslaco houses faculty from a variety of research and extension programs, including breeding and genetics, plant biochemistry, plant physiology, plant pathology, horticulture, economics, range science, wildlife, and 4-H.

For more about the city of Weslaco, visit https://www.weslacotx.gov/

 

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All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.

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