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Plant Quantitative Genetics - Associate Professor

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Position description

We are seeking an assistant/associate professor in quantitative genetics with a focus on genetic improvement of agricultural crop populations, including exploitation of wild relatives. Research may include development of statistical methods integrating genomic and phenotypic information that address both additive and non-additive genetic variation, methodologies to discover and exploit dominance and epistatic effects as genomic predictors, methods of enhancing the accuracy of genomic predictors across populations, and expanding methodologies for the analysis of complex traits using high-density markers in combination with phenotypic data. This position will include an appointment in the Agricultural Experiment Station, which carries a responsibility to conduct research and outreach relevant to the mission of the California Agricultural Experiment Station (http://cnas.ucr.edu/about/anr/).

The title and rank is open to either an Assistant or an Associate Professor. Appointment level and salary will be competitive, commensurate with accomplishments.

The successful candidate will have a faculty appointment in the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences (BPSC) at the University of California, Riverside, California.

The position will deepen the department’s established strength in quantitative genetics and plant breeding and provide expertise in statistical genetics and genomics. The BPSC Department is a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community, with faculty working across areas of basic to applied plant sciences.

A Ph.D. degree with emphasis in quantitative genetics and strong training in statistics is required. Postdoctoral and/or independent research experience is greatly preferred, especially in genome-wide association analysis, with ability to integrate high-density genotype data sets to identify genetic variation that influences complex traits and understanding of theoretical and computational methodologies used in the analysis of quantitative and molecular data for genetic prediction. Programming skills with multiple computer languages are desired.

The candidate is expected to develop vigorous research and teaching programs, which are demonstrated with publications in refereed journals, extramural funding, and supervision of graduate students and post-doctoral associates. The candidate should have demonstrated experience in conducting research, strong written and oral communication skills, and a desire to work in a team environment to further strengthen collaborative links with multiple departments in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at UCR. Research may focus on any crop. The appointee will be welcome to engage in research utilizing established UCR germplasm collections in various crops including citrus, avocado, wheat, and cowpea. Teaching responsibilities will include graduate and undergraduate level courses that fit the expertise and interests of the successful candidate and departmental needs.

Applicants for the Assistant level should submit a curriculum vitae, a statement of research, a statement of teaching interests, and have four letters of recommendation submitted through https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF00282.

Applicants for the Associate level, should submit a curriculum vitae, a statement of research, a statement of teaching interests, and provide names and e-mail addresses of four references through https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF00283.

Inquiries should be directed to the search committee chair, Shizhong Xu(shizhong.xu@ucr.edu).

Review of applications will begin on January 19, 2015 and will continue until the position is filled. Websites: http://www.plantbiology.ucr.edu/, http://www.cepceb.ucr.edu and http://www.ucr.edu

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. In accordance with Federal law, we are making available our Campus Security Report to all prospective employees.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Teaching

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to diversity through teaching, research, professional activity, and/or service.
    (Optional)

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 4-10 required (contact information only)