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This is a 12-month non-tenure-accruing position, available at the Blueberry Breeding and Genomics Lab (Dr. Patricio Munoz’s Lab), in the Horticultural Science Department Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.
Southern highbush blueberry (SHB; Vaccinium corymbosum and hybrids) is the leading blueberry type grown in subtropical and mild-temperate production regions worldwide. The blueberry breeding cycle restricts the pace at which new cultivars are generated and released. The In vitro breeding team of the Blueberry Breeding and Genomics Lab is generating extensive cellular manipulation and tissue culture strategies that increase breeding efficiency and enhance the available diversity.
For this position, we are seeking an experienced and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the In vitro breeding team to help in the experimental advancement in TC research for blueberry as well as ploidy manipulation and mutation breeding strategies, the key activities will include:
- Designing and conducting multi-environment field screening trials to characterize novel mutant lines.
- Performing marker-trait association analyses using genome-wide SNP datasets to identify elucidate the mutation induction mechanism and trends in regions affected by the different strategies.
- Design metabolic profiling of tissue.
- Identify research opportunities related to tissue culture and cellular manipulation.
- Help develop haploid lines.
- Help screen somatic mutation accumulation during TC.
- Use analytical omics to increase understanding of regeneration, differentiation, competence and mutations.
- Preparing data reports, presenting results at scientific meetings, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
- Contributing to grant writing and supporting the mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.
- Help mentor other team members and students.
As part of a post-doctoral experience, we offer opportunities and will encourage participation and growth in research, programming, teaching, grant writing, extension, and mentoring. Also relevant, our laboratory is fully embraced with the Artificial Intelligence Initiative at the University of Florida, with access to HiPerGator supercomputer, all essential areas for the next step in your career. Following this model, we have a 100% success rate in placement in the desired job after working in our lab, mostly in industry positions.
Background Information
The Horticultural Sciences Department is a unit within IFAS at the University of Florida and has a variety of teaching, research, and extension education programs with 34 faculty in Gainesville and 26 faculty at various Research and Education Centers throughout the state. The Horticultural Sciences Department is currently ranked top 9 in the center for world university rankings.
The Blueberry Breeding and Genomics Lab is a lab within the Horticultural Science Department. The lab is led by Dr. Patricio Munoz, an associate professor with more than 17 years of experience in plant breeding. The lab goals are both blueberry cultivar development and research methods that help accelerating the cultivar development. The lab moved to a newly constructed building in October 2022 where state-of-the-art equipment and facilities are available.
The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine. UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.