Research Associate-Fixed Term

Job description

Position Summary The Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the MSU Dry Bean Breeding Program. The successful candidate will lead research focused on enhancing resistance to root rot diseases in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), integrating advanced breeding, genomics, and phenotyping approaches. This position is funded through a Multistate Research Committee and McIntire-Stennis project aimed at developing improved germplasm and high-throughput screening tools for root rot resistance. Key Responsibilities: - Breeding and Germplasm Evaluation: Screen MSU backcross populations and new germplasm under high root rot disease pressure in Michigan field environments - Conduct greenhouse and field trials, including inoculation and disease severity scoring. Genetic Mapping and Marker Development - Develop and refine genetic mapping populations leveraging pre-breeding germplasm. - Perform genotyping and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis to identify genomic regions associated with root rot resistance - Develop and validate molecular markers (e.g., KASP) for marker-assisted selection...