Postdoctoral Fellowship in Genomics for Date Palm Improvement

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia

Updated: 2 months ago
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

The lab of Professor Jesse Poland in the Center for Desert Agriculture (cda.kaust.edu.sa ) at KAUST has openings for postdoctoral fellowships in genomics for improvement of date palm.  As the most important crop in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Arabian Peninsula, date palm has significant cultural and economic value.  This position is focused on utilizing the latest genomics tools with genomic prediction modeling to understand the basis of important fruit and production traits.  A key objective for the future of date palm breeding is developing whole-genome prediction models that will be applied to selection of superior genets and improved varieties. 

The specific projects for which we seek postdoctoral fellow(s) will be focused on genomics-assisted breeding for date palm. These projects include, but are not limited to:

  • utilization of whole-genome sequencing and extensive phenotypic datasets for development of genomic selection models predicting complex traits for fruit quality, yield and other agronomic traits
  • assessment of heterosis from genomic perspective, including mapping of deleterious alleles, understanding male and female germplasm pools, population structure, and other genomic features that can contribute to hybrid vigor in date palm
  • development of advanced genotyping platforms and bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput genotyping of date palm, specifically the utilization of skim-sequencing for whole-genome imputation and genomic selection

    • The Plant Breeding and Genomics group at KAUST offers an excellent interdisciplinary environment utilizing state-of-the-art genomic technologies, while working across multinational teams.  The position(s) are fully funded (2-3 years) including salary and benefits, with possibility for extension, and substantial project funding for the research.

    The Poland Lab and CDA are embedded in BESE division (bese.kaust.edu.sa ), which extends and supports a multi-disciplinary work environment.  Extensive core laboratories (corelabs.kaust.edu.sa ) at KAUST also provide access to the most recent equipment such as imaging, sequencing, and single-cell genomics.

    We seek highly motivated individuals that are energetic, determined, well-organized, self-motivated, and independent.  Successful candidates will have a well-developed ability and the appropriate temperament to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.  We value critical thinking, open-mined scientists that can creatively solve scientific problems, and have a strong work ethic, integrity, and professionalism.

    Other information:The starting date is flexible. Please indicate your availability. The position is initially limited to 3 years but can be extended.

    Please submit your application documents in full (cover letter, CV, certificates, publication list, references, etc.) online using Interfolio. Only applications through Interfolio will be considered.

    For full consideration, please submit your application by November 30th, 2022.  Positions remain open until filled.

    King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST ) in Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea coastal area of Thuwal, is an international graduate-level research university dedicated to inspiring a new age of scientific achievement that will benefit the region and the world. As an independent and merit-based institution and one of the best-endowed universities in the world, KAUST is becoming a major new contributor to the global network of collaborative research. It will enable researchers from around the globe to work together to solve challenging scientific and technological problems. The admission of students, the appointment, promotion and retention of faculty and staff and all the educational, administrative and other activities of the University shall be conducted on the basis of equality, without regard to race, color, religion or gender.Further information can be found at www.kaust.edu.sa .


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