Pulse Breeding Postdoc

Washington State University Department of Crop and Soil Science; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State University Department of Crop and Soil Science, in Pullman, WA, hosts a temporary full-time position on a USDA ARS NPGS-related team focused on plant domestication, genetics, and breeding across pulse crops. The role emphasizes managing projects, experimental design, and analysis of large genomic/phenomic datasets.

The appointment runs from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2028, with renewal contingent on program needs and funding.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in plant breeding, bioinformatics, quantitative/statistical/population genetics, or a related discipline.
• Experience with project management and experimental design.
• Demonstrated expertise analyzing highly-dimensional genomic and/or phenomic datasets.

Skills

Project management

Experimental design

Genomic/phenomic data analysis

Quantitative statistics

Education

Ph.D. in plant breeding, bioinformatics, quantitative/statistical/population genetics, or a related discipline

Tools

Bioinformatics tools

Job description

The position is on the team of Washington State University and USDA ARS scientists at the Western Regional Plant Introduction Station in Pullman, WA. The WRPIS, in addition to Plant Genetic Resource conservation as part of the USDA ARS National Plant Germplasm System, conducts research on plant domestication, genetics, and breeding in many crops including important cool season pulse crops. Major areas of research include determining the genetic basis of important agronomic and seed quality traits pre-breeding of pea, chickpea, and lentil; and developing high throughput phenotyping methodologies for breeding and germplasm characterization, including calculation of sequence based genomic prediction and genomic selection values.

To learn more about the USDA ARS NPGS and Plant Genetic Resources, visit our webpages at https://www.ars-grin.gov and https://grin-u.org/.

This is a temporary full time position expected to start on October 1, 2026 and end on September 30, 2028. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in plant breeding, bioinformatics, quantitative/statistical/population genetics, or a related discipline
• Experience with project management and experimental design
• Demonstrated expertise analyzing highly-dimensional genomic and/or phenomic datasets

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant independent research experience
• Creativity, independence, and strong problemsolving skills
• Genetic, molecular, field, or greenhouse research experience
• Skills in bioinformatics or statistical genetics
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Strong organization, multitasking, and teamwork abilities
• Careful documentation and effective scientific writing
• Advanced knowledge of quantitative, population, and statistical genetics, including genomic prediction models
• Demonstrated ability in program management, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement