Postdoctoral Associate for Comparative Quantitative Genetics and Genomics in Sorghum and Maize
Position Function
A Postdoctoral Associate Position is available to work in the area of comparative quantitative genetics and genomics in the Plant Breeding and Genetics Section. The position will be part of the ARPAE-funded, project entitled “Transportation Energy Resource from Renewable Agriculture‒Mobile Energy-Crop Phenotyping Platform (TERRA-MEPP; https://terra-mepp.illinois.edu/).” This position requires an experienced scientist to employ genomics and statistical tools in constructing a comparative sorghum-maize haplotype map (HapMap). The intent is to develop an evolutionary model to better understand the levels and patterns of diversity between maize and sorghum, along with the application of these findings to enhance genome-wide association studies and whole-genome prediction of complex traits in sorghum. The ideal candidate will have expertise in quantitative genetics, genomics, programming and statistics. Responsibilities will include independent research in the analysis of large whole-genome resequencing data sets, developing evolutionary models, complex trait dissection, and training scientists and students. The position will involve close collaboration with a dynamic team of plant physiologists, geneticists, crop modelers, and robotics engineers.
Position requirements
* Ph.D. with research experience in statistics, plant or animal breeding, genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology or related discipline.
* Experiences in constructing and analyzing whole-genome resequencing, RNA-seq, or variome data sets with genomics software (GATK, BWA, PLINK, TASSEL, BEAGLE).
* Extensive skills in programming (Python, Java, or C/C++) and statistical tools (R, ASReml, or SAS).
* Proficiency in developing and implementing complex computational pipelines on Linux operating systems and high-performance computing clusters.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a strong publication record.
Preferred qualifications
* More than 3 years of experience in quantitative genetics, genomics or bioinformatics.
* Extensive experience in integrating and analyzing whole-genome resequencing and comparative variome data sets.
* Experience in implementing machine learning algorithm (random forest, artificial neural network, etc.)
* A record of publication in the field of quantitative genetics and genomics.
* Experience in population genetics or comparative genomics.
* Knowledge of plant breeding and genetics approaches is a plus.
Supervision Exercised
The position will include some supervision of undergraduate and graduate students involved in research on the project.
How to Apply
A letter of interest in the position, C.V., and contact information for three references should be emailed together as a single PDF file to Michael Gore at: mag87 from cornell.edu
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Michael Gore
Associate Professor
Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor
Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
Cornell University
310 Bradfield Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
E-mail: mag87 from cornell.edu
Vox: (607) 255-5492
Fax: (607) 255-6683
http://www.gorelab.us
