Postdoctoral Researcher — Vegetable Breeding & Genomics

Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Uvalde (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Sick leave & vacation

Job summary

Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Uvalde invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Vegetable Breeding Program. The role supports genomics, tissue culture, integrated pest management, agronomy and breeding of vegetable crops, and assists Dr. Subas Malla with project logistics, reporting, outreach and budget oversight for USDA SCRI and TDA-SCBG projects.

The position requires a Ph.D. in plant breeding or a related field, strong data management and communication skills, and the

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology or Agronomy.
• Ability to work individually and with internal/external teams.
• Understanding of genetics and breeding principles of open-pollinated vegetable crops.
• Proficiency in whole genome structural and functional analysis.
• Understanding of lipid profiling and seed physiology.
• Proficiency in biochemical assays for abiotic and biotic tolerance.
• Proficiency in data management and office software (spreadsheets, word processing).
• Strong organizational, communication, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to collaborate with the center, agency, university and partners on the SCRI onion project.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage research trials for the USDA NIFA SCRI onion project.
• Manage and direct all administrative functions for the 4-year USDA NIFA SCRI onion project.
• Serve as liaison for subcontracts with Texas A&M University System.
• Coordinate quarterly meetings with the SCRI onion project team.
• Coordinate one annual in-person meeting with stakeholders at national conferences.
• Provide administrative support for grant project faculty and staff.
• Develop project plans with PD and co-PIs to monitor progress and resources.
• Monitor and report project progress and outputs.
• Create workflows, policies, timelines and reporting processes.
• Assist PI and co-PIs to ensure on-time, on-scope, on-budget delivery.
• Plan and manage SCRI and TDA-SCBG onion/watermelon projects.
• Conduct whole genome analyses in vegetable crops.
• Manage marker-assisted selection and collect plant samples (driver’s license required).
• Harvest onion bulbs and watermelon fruits (physical exertion up to 50 pounds).
• Select breeding material and design crossing blocks.
• Develop breeding populations and data capture systems.
• Analyze multi-location trial data with statistical software.
• Support grants and contracts for the Vegetable Breeding program.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Travel for meetings and presentations (driver’s license required).
• Mentor graduate students.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Genetics & breeding principles

Genome analysis

Biochemical assays

Data management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Report writing

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology or Agronomy

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Uvalde invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Vegetable Breeding Program. The role supports genomics, tissue culture, integrated pest management, agronomy and breeding of vegetable crops, and assists Dr. Subas Malla with project logistics, reporting, outreach and budget oversight for USDA SCRI and TDA-SCBG projects.

The position requires a Ph.D. in plant breeding or a related field, strong data management and communication skills, and the