Research Geneticist, Research Associate
Location: Parlier, CA
Factor 1 – Research Assignment
A. Assigned Responsibility
Incumbent is an Associate Research geneticist in the Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research Unit at the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center in Parlier, CA. This research is a component of ARS National Program 301 (Plant Genetic Resources, Genomics, and Genetic Improvement) and focuses on research in plant genetic resources, genomics, and genetic improvement by providing knowledge, technologies, and products to deliver high crop yields and product quality and reduce global food insecurity. This postdoctoral associate position is available immediately to work on multiple research projects including but not limited to; 1) pedigree analysis of breeding populations; 2) statistical associations between traits of interest and genotype data; 3) genomic predictions of complex traits; 4) phenomics pipelines to enhance breeding; 5) germplasm evaluations for pests and diseases.
B. Research Objectives and Methodology
Incumbent is responsible for managing the lab and greenhouse research activities to carry out marker assisted screening for powdery mildew (PM) and Pierce’s disease (PD) resistance to support the grape breeding program for both raisin and table grapes. Incumbent will be responsible to analyze specific inherited traits, designs sampling plans or coordinates the field collection of samples such as tissue specimens, designs and maintains genetics computer databases, oversee the operations in the lab including equipment maintenance, data collection and analysis, and safety protocols, coordinate the greenhouse and field experiments, work closely with the supervisor to establish new breeding populations for the trait analysis, collect data with field book app and develop assays to study the trait of interest. Incumbent will also be working in close association with the Breeding insight team situated in Cornell university, New York to work with the Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) that would be used for high throughput whole-genome genotyping of the tested plant material. He/she will get required support and training from BI team to develop in house setup for genetic, diversity, population structure, and genome wide association analysis.
C. Expected Results
The grape breeding program is focused to evaluate germplasm for novel traits in berry and fruit quality, disease resistance, and genetic mechanisms of disease resistance. Incumbent’s research will expand to develop molecular tools for other fruit quality traits, understanding of genetics and physiology of natural dry one vine (NDOV), and preharvest fruit shatter trait in raisins. His/her work will contribute and facilitate the variety development process with marker assisted screening.
D. Knowledge Required
This position requires expertise in genomics such as genome-wide associations and selection, bioinformatics in handling sequence data, as well as understanding analysis for different breeding schemes, knowledge of marker assisted screening, and basic understanding of embryo rescue process. A candidate that understands biochemistry and biochemical pathways is highly desirable. The applicant should be fluent in English (oral and written) and be able to communicate ideas to colleagues and conference attendees. The successful applicant can work independently as well as on a team and supervise students in the lab.
E. Supervisory Responsibilities
Incumbent may provide technical support to undergraduate students, technicians in the lab, greenhouse, and field who are working on the same project. May help and guide graduate students and visiting scholars in the lab for their research projects, providing them with technical support, feedback, and mentoring.
Factor 2 – Supervisory Controls
- Assigned Authority
Incumbent is assigned to identify and select approaches to address specific objectives determined by the supervisor. Incumbent leads, coordinates and independently conducts research in assigned areas, analyzes, and interpret research results; and prepares reports of the results in the form of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings.
B. Technical Guidance Received
Incumbent works as an independent scientist with technical guidance provided by the supervisor, which consists primarily in defining research objectives, planning experiments, and reviewing and discussing results within the context of team research goals.
C. Review of Results
Incumbent is responsible for analyzing, interpreting, reporting, and publishing research results in professional journals, conference proceedings, and industry publications. For conformance to Agency policy, manuscripts are reviewed by the supervisor, Unit’s Research Leader, Center Director, and Office of National Programs (if applicable).
D. General Supervision
The incumbent is under general supervision of the Research geneticist assigned to the laboratory. Supervision includes technical aspects of research and administrative, involving general policy guidance and resource allocation. The supervisor is informed of research progress and, in consultation with the supervisor, is responsible for formulating, planning, executing, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting the research.
Factor 3 – Guidelines and Originality
A. Available Literature
Grape breeding at SJVASC has a long history of releasing table and raisin grape varieties. There is an extensive body of literature on embryo rescue, powdery mildew and Pierce’s disease resistance, quality traits for table grapes. However, critical information on the genetics of fruit quality traits, inheritance of early ripening, genetics of Natural dry on Vine is lacking.
B. Originality Required
Exceptional originality is required to develop phenotyping assays. Organizational skills and ability to handle large data set is key requirement.
Interested candidates should contact:
Summaira Riaz
Research Geneticist
Crop Diseases, Pests and Genetics Research Unit
San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center
United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Services
9611 South Riverbend Avenue
Parlier, California 93648
Office: 559-596-2823
Cell: 530-400-1404
Summaira.Riaz@usda.gov