Cornell University
Location
Ithaca, NY | United States
Job description
Postdoctoral Scientist
University Title: Postdoctoral Associate
Cornell Institute of Biotechnology
Research and Innovation
The Breeding Insight (BI) program at Cornell University has two (2) openings for a postdoctoral scientist working on the collaborative USAID-funded Feed the Future Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab (CRCIL) consortium led by Kansas State University with partners including Clemson University, Cornell University, Delaware State University, Kansas State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Florida, and international collaborators. Current international partners include the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh, the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research, Senegal, and the Ethiopian Institute of Agriculture Research, Ethiopia. CRCIL will work on four major grain crops (wheat, rice, millet, and sorghum) across multiple global regions including South Asia, Western Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Breeding Insight is composed of software developers and scientists with expertise in genomics, statistics, plant breeding, animal breeding, data management, phenomics, and bioinformatics. Breeding for climate resilience in major staple grain crops will be key for the world population living in food-scarce locations. These locations are among the most vulnerable to climate change including severe weather events, off-season flooding and drought, pest and disease migration, and soil erosion. One of Breeding Insight's aims is to accelerate breeding efforts by integrating the use of phenomics (trait analysis) with genomics and natural variation to increase the rate of genetic gain to create healthy, nutritious, and sustainable cereal varieties. To accomplish these objectives, the Breeding Insight program integrates with selected national agricultural research institute (NARI)-based teams (based at research locations in key countries representing South Asia, Western Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean) and scientific and software development teams.
Aligning with these themes, the USAID funded CRCIL has the following Areas of Inquiry that illustrate USAID's research interests and have been identified as critical to transforming cereal crops improvement research and innovation and market systems to accelerate yield gains and generate greater and more inclusive income growth opportunities, improved nutrition, and increased resilience and climate change adaptation: 1) Discover/identify new alleles for prioritized traits critical in climate adaptation using genomics and systems biology approaches, 2) Validate novel alleles/haplotypes controlling climate-resilience traits of cereals crops through functional genomics, phenomics, computational methods, and other relevant approaches in the respective target production environments, 3) Transfer validated alleles/haplotypes for traits important for climate adaptation into elite breeding materials to develop improved varieties with enhanced genetic gain in the market segments identified from the outset.
The successful candidate will work as part of the interdisciplinary Breeding Insight program at Cornell University to collaborate with other universities that are part of the CRCIL International Germplasm Enhancement Network. This will be part of a multidisciplinary Innovation Lab that works with universities in the USA while targeting and working with breeders at multiple international locations. Primary responsibilities for this position include 1) applying genetic principles to enable interpretation of biological phenomena and provide information that guides strategies and optimizes resources in breeding programs, 2) performing statistical analyses and extracting actionable interpretations from genomics and phenomics data collected by CRCIL consortium partners, 3) preparing reports, manuscripts, and presentations of research results. Additionally, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain project management experience working directly with international breeders, developing strategies for genetic analysis and data processing for statistical analyses. The candidate will also participate in virtual and in person meetings with breeding teams and the CRCIL team leads contributing to breeding decision support.
Key responsibilities:
What we need:
Postdoctoral associates are appointed in 1-year terms, with renewal contingent upon successful performance, available work, and continued funding.
The position is located in Ithaca, NY, but remote work options can be considered.
Pay Range:
$56,484.00 - $80,000.00Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
Prior relevant work or industry experience.
Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)
Unique applicable skills.
Employment Assistance:
Notice to Applicants:
EEO Statement:
Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.
Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
2024-01-23Job tags
Salary
