Research Associate-Fixed Term
About The Position
The Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the MSU Dry Bean Breeding Program. The successful candidate will lead research focused on enhancing resistance to root rot diseases in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), integrating advanced breeding, genomics, and phenotyping approaches. This position is funded through a Multistate Research Committee and McIntire-Stennis project aimed at developing improved germplasm and high-throughput screening tools for root rot resistance.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Pathology, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience in plant breeding, quantitative genetics, or molecular marker development.
- Strong written and oral communication skills
Nice To Haves
- Experience with root phenotyping and/or image analysis pipelines
- Familiarity with dry bean breeding systems
- Knowledge of soilborne pathogens and disease resistance breeding
Responsibilities
- Breeding and Germplasm Evaluation: Screen MSU backcross populations and new germplasm under high root rot disease pressure in Michigan field environments
- Conduct greenhouse and field trials, including inoculation and disease severity scoring. Genetic Mapping and Marker Development
- Develop and refine genetic mapping populations leveraging pre-breeding germplasm.
- Perform genotyping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis to identify genomic regions associated with root rot resistance
- Develop and validate molecular markers (e.g., KASP) for marker-assisted selection. High-Throughput Phenotyping
- Adapt and implement image-based phenotyping pipelines (e.g., RootDS/PlantCV) for root disease severity assessment.
- Design and optimize imaging systems for field and greenhouse applications.
- Data Analysis and Dissemination: Conduct statistical and genomic analyses using R, Python, and bioinformatics tools. Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific conferences.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including plant breeders, pathologists, and computational biologists
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Industry
Educational Services
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
