Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) Position in the Areas of Stress Physiology, Genomics, and High-throughput Phenotyping at University of Nebraska.

Walia lab in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at University of Nebraska (UNL) has an open Ph.D.position. 

Primary research interest of the program is in understanding how plants adapt to these environmental stresses. We are particularly interested in the physiological and molecular characterization of crop responses to drought stress. Research in the lab focuses on stress tolerance during developmental stages that are particularly sensitive to abiotic stresses resulting in yield and biomass losses. We are using genomics, computational, high-throughput phenotyping and physiological approaches to elucidate the mechanisms involved in abiotic stress tolerance in wheat. The overall research goal is to discover genes and genetic variants that can be used to improve crop performance in sub-optimal growing conditions.

More specifically, the project focus on root-related traits that are involved in drought adaptation in wheat. Opportunities will exist to work with an interdisciplinary team that involves field phenotyping, bioinformatics and biochemistry. Experience of working in a plant research lab, molecular biology training and familiarity with bioinformatics tools are desirable.

If interested, please send a detailed resume, statement of research interests and contact details (phone, email) for at least three professional references to Harkamal Walia. The graduate program in Department of Agronomy and Horticulture require GRE scores along with TOEFL scores for International Students and/or students with non-English speaking backgrounds. Selected/shortlisted candidates must be approved by Graduate Studies Committee and must apply to Graduate School for acceptance into a program and be admitted prior to joining the lab. Applicants must meet Graduate School requirements.

Interested candidates should contact:

Harkamal Walia
Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
(click here: https://agronomy.unl.edu/walia for contact information)