Post-doc position in Molecular Breeding Research in oilseed Brassicas

Department of Plant Breeding
The Department of Plant Breeding teach and perform strategic and applied research on agricultural and horticultural crops with the aim to provide knowledge, tools and products for a bio-based economy, improved environment and human health. Within the department, we strive to build a working atmosphere characterised by a collegial spirit that support young researchers to successfully advance and mature within their subject areas. Our research environment runs projects ranging from basic to applied research. We use both conventional and modern breeding technologies, ranging from field experiments and evaluation of genetic diversity to genetic, omics, biotechnological, biochemical and physiological approaches. Cultivar development takes place in apple, black currant and potato, aimed for cultivation in Northern Europe. Pre-breeding activities to develop plant material bearing specific traits for the plant breeding industry is also part of the Department’s tasks.
The Department is currently conducting research on a number of oilseed crop species in the Brassicaceae family. Turnip rape (Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera) is the focus in one of the projects with a long-term goal of improving this crop for cultivation in Northern Scandinavia. We are now advertising a two-year post-doc position in molecular plant breeding research, to recruit an outstanding and motivated candidate for a key-position within this project.
Duties:
You will work with next generation sequencing data, including SNP markers, of turnip rape accessions representing wide geographical areas across Europe and North America. Together with colleagues participating in this project, you will also perform GWAS using GBS-based genotypic data and phenotypic data from field trials at several locations in Sweden. Developing molecular breeding tools for turnip rape is also part of the activities. Genetic and functional characterization of traits such as earliness, oil and protein qualities, through comparative genomics analysis with Arabidopsis and Canola serves as a basis for the development of the tools. Documentation and publication of the project results is also essential parts of your work.

Qualifications:
We seek a highly motivated, devoted and independent candidate with a PhD degree in molecular genetics, molecular biology or equivalent subjects. The applicant must have a solid background in plant molecular biology and genetics, preferably having experience in one or more of the following areas: analysis of next generation sequencing data, such as GBS and SeqSNP, genetic linkage and QTL mapping, GWAS and comparative genomics research. Experience in plant breeding research particularly on oilseed brassicas and documented experience in lipid metabolism research  are merits. Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement, knowledge in a Scandinavian language is an advantage, and scientific publication record in “high” impact journals is a requirement.  The project is conducted within a research group and requires close collaboration with other researchers at the department, SLU and beyond. Hence, you should have a professional, independent and structured working style as well as collaboration skills.  

As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates who obtained a doctoral degree within the last five years.

Place of work:
Alnarp

Form of employment:
Temporary employment, 2 years (postdock agreement)

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
1st of August 2020 or an earliest date after

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2020-05-25, use the button below.

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.