PhD Students
Washington State University
The Washington State University (WSU) Winter Wheat Breeding Program is currently accepting applications for two PhD students to work on current problems facing organic wheat producers in the Pacific Northwest.
Two primary research topics include:
1) Defining and selecting for quality characteristics for organic bread, noodle and cereal markets and;
2) Evaluating historical wheat varieties and breeding for disease resistance to common bunt and other pathogens.
Other research topics include: developing varieties adapted to livestock grazing and organic cropping rotations; selecting wheat lines with increased micronutrient content and improved nutrient-use efficiency and; participatory wheat breeding with regional organic farmers. Applicants should expect to work in the greenhouse, field and lab and assist in all aspects of the organic wheat breeding program. Candidates should have a strong background in genetics, pathology and/or practical agricultural experience, and an interest in sustainable farming practices and farmer based participatory research. Positions to start in Fall 2006 or Spring 2007.

Contact:

Dr. Stephen Jones
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
WSU
201 Johnson Hall
Pullman, WA 99164-6420
email: winterwheat@wsu.edu

The Washington State University Winter Wheat Breeding Program is currently accepting applications for a PhD student to investigate genes involved in life or death decisions in plants. The primary duty for this position is to engage in high resolution genetic mapping and map-based cloning of genes that maintain viable meristems and aid in the evasion of whole plant senescence in lines that were formerly monocarpic. Additional research goals may involve morphological and/or expression-based approaches to characterizing meristem maintenance in perennial species. Applicants should expect to execute their duties primarily in the lab and greenhouse, with occasional field work. The successful candidate will have a strong background and interest in genetics and cytogenetics.

Contact:

Dr. Stephen Jones
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
WSU
201 Johnson Hall
Pullman, WA 99164-6420
email: winterwheat@wsu.edu