Posted in Other 19 days ago.
Location: Clemson, South Carolina
Drs. Trevor Rife and Jenna Hershberger are seeking to hire a postdoctoral fellow to be part of the USAID Feed the Future Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab (CRCIL). The position will oversee the development and implementation of phenotypic and phenomic data collection and analysis strategies in breeding programs to facilitate improved cereal crop resiliency to abiotic and biotic stress in vulnerable production regions across the world.
The postdoctoral fellow is expected to work closely with international partners including designated National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) breeding hubs positioned in African, Caribbean, and South Asian countries. As such, extensive international travel to these partner institutions is expected to maximize research and cultivar development output, as well as support training in these areas. Four cereal crops of focus in CRCIL include millet, rice, sorghum, and wheat.
The postdoctoral fellow is expected to contribute a major portion of time toward developing and implementing tools and methods to support germplasm enhancement activities. Such responsibilities include but are not limited to: (1) Breeding program evaluation (2) Digitizing breeding data collection (3) Breeding pipeline optimization (4) Training and support (5) Development and validation of new breeding tools,
The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with multi-institutional project teams in genomics, genome editing, product profile development, nutritional characterization, and crop modeling to effectively make advances in the identification and delivery of important genes and alleles that improve the ability of cereal crops to produce quality grain under harsh environmental conditions. Key U.S. collaborations in CRCIL include Kansas State University (project lead), Clemson University, Cornell University, Breeding Insight, Delaware State University, Louisiana State University, and the University of Florida.
Primary Responsibilities:
Breeding program evaluation – The postdoctoral fellow will work to conduct thorough assessments of current NARI breeding program strategies to identify strengths and weaknesses and generate actionable recommendations. Analysis will include clarity of program objectives, technical capacity, and breeding pipeline organization. (20%)
Digitizing breeding data collection – The postdoctoral fellow will work with breeding programs to identify strategies to facilitate transitions, where applicable, from manual breeding data collection methods to digital platforms. (20%)
Breeding pipeline optimization – The postdoctoral fellow will identify strategies to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of NARI breeding programs. (15%)
Training breeders to use new tools – Direct training of personnel (faculty, staff, and students) at both NARI breeding hubs and U.S. partners in phenotyping and phenomics tools will be essential for project success. Discovery, validation, and introgression of new germplasm and genetic variants are necessary steps toward building resources and products that mitigate impacts from abiotic and biotic stressors. Educating project personnel in these fields will equip them with the skills and expertise to continue crop improvement post-project period. (25%)
Development of new data collection tools – The postdoctoral fellow will work with international project partners, particularly NARI breeding hubs, to identify, co-develop, and pilot innovative tools for data collection that solve specific challenges. Tools will be built based on priority, feasibility, and impact assessment. (20%)
Required:
(1) PhD in breeding, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, or related field.
(2) Sufficient knowledge and research experience in plant breeding, genetics, bioinformatics, or related field to design and implement germplasm enhancement activities as outlined in responsibilities.
(3) Willingness and ability to travel internationally for extended periods.
Desired Qualifications:
(1) Relevant project management experience (private industry, non-profit, or academic).
(2) Relevant experience in graduate and/or undergraduate student training.
(3) The candidate must be highly organized and able to work effectively with and manage a group of individuals with diverse backgrounds and skillsets.
Please submit the following documents to Interfolio:
http://apply.interfolio.com/145696
1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Transcripts
4. Contact information for three references
This position will remain open until filled, but full consideration will be given to those who apply by 5/29/24.
PI240450767
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Clemson University
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Clemson University
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Clemson University
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