A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available January 2012 to work on Intermediate wheatgrass breeding and genetics. Funded by a grant from the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (http://environment.umn.edu/iree/iree_funding.html), and in collaboration with The Land Institute (http://www.landinstitute.org/), the overall goal of the research is to improve Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), a perennial, outcrossing cousin of common wheat, for sustainable co-production of food and fuel. Specific goals of the research are to increase seed size and grain yield and develop DNA marker technologies such as Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) to assist in the breeding efforts.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in plant breeding, genetics, molecular genetics, or related field. Strong molecular genetics skills, experience using DNA markers, gene and QTL mapping, and knowledge of plant breeding are required. Experience with plant breeding methods appropriate for obligate outcrossing species is preferred, but not required. The postdoc will have opportunity to interact with other plant breeders, food scientists, agronomists, soil scientists, and economists on other aspects of the project and will be part of the wheat breeding and genetics project (z.umn.edu/jaanderson) in the Department of Agronomy & Plant Genetics. The position is located in St. Paul, MN and is annually renewable with funding available for 2.5 years thru June 2014.

Qualified applicants should submit a letter of application, C.V., and contact information for three references to Dr. James A. Anderson, ander319@umn.edu. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

James A. Anderson, Professor
Dept. of Agronomy & Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota
411 Borlaug Hall, 1991 Buford Circle
St. Paul, MN 55108
PH. (612) 625-9763, FAX (612) 625-1268