Post-Doctoral Associate

Anticipated Initial Appointment Period: May 19, 2025 - June 14, 2026
Supervisor of position: James A. Anderson
Percent Time: 100%
Note: These are not positions to which permanent residency can be granted for international appointees.

The successful candidate will lead the University of Minnesota's perennial grains breeding program, focusing on intermediate wheatgrass, perennial rye, and perennial wheat. The candidate will design and implement appropriate breeding strategies, integrating modern genomic approaches where applicable and make breeding program decisions including crossing, selections, testing and evaluation and release of varietal candidates.

Post-Doctoral Associates conduct research and/or service that provides further development of career skills or allows them opportunities to learn new research techniques. They are trained by and work in conjunction with a faculty mentor who determines the training agenda.

Positions are limited to a period of three to five years, depending on training needs. Post-Doctoral Associates are receiving training while also performing services for the University of Minnesota, for which they are compensated.
Please add in your program & position-specific information here.

Job Duties

• 50% Plan, develop, and implement innovative and collaborative research objectives for the intermediate wheatgrass, perennial rye breeding research programs to increase understanding of the genetic and environmental factors that affect its growth, persistence, grain yield, and end-use quality attributes
  • Population improvement, leading to cultivar release, for traits such as increased seed size, reduced seed shattering, threshability, persistent grain yield, lodging resistance, and end-use quality
  • Research and implement modern breeding methodologies including genome-wide prediction to increase efficiency
  • Genetic research including but not limited to: genome-wide association analysis and linkage mapping analysis of desired traits, genotype by environment interaction, field-based phenotyping.
  • Continue and initiate multidisciplinary collaborations within the University of Minnesota and with other national and international perennial grain researchers in breeding, agronomy, genomics, plant pathology, and food science.
• 20% Conceptualize and write grant proposals to cultivate strong extramural support for perennial grains improvement and research
• 20% Publication and presentation development to distribute research results to the scientific community and other stakeholders
• 10% Mentor/Supervise graduate and undergraduate students

Required

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding. Individual may be immediate post-degree or returning for additional training, updating, and/or retooling. Limited to fields for which post-degree training is necessary for career entry.

Preferred

• Experience with plant breeding field data collection and analysis
• Experience with genome-wide genotyping data, quantitative genetics, and genomic selection modeling, bioinformatics, proficiency in R and/or Linux command line
• experience work-ing with large-scale datasets,
• Strong communication skills, including for non-scientific audiences

Pay Range: $61,008 - $65,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. Example language: This position requires that you attach LIST ATTACHMENT TYPES SUCH AS: a sample of scholarly work, a diversity statement, and a list of references.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).