Position Summary
The Wang Laboratory at Michigan State University is seeking a highly motivated and technically accomplished Postdoctoral Scholar to drive cutting-edge research in soybean genetics and breeding. The successful candidate will apply multi-faceted approaches, causal variant discovery, and molecular breeding tools to advance understanding of host plant resistance in soybean towards white mold resistance and play significant role in soybean breeding program. This is a full-time position embedded in one of the nation's premier soybean genetics programs, offering opportunities for collaborative research, grant co-development, and scientific leadership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
White Mold Resistance Genetics & Genomics
- Design and execute large-scale genetic and genomic studies to identify loci associated with white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) resistance in soybean using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, linkage analysis, and genomic prediction approaches.
- Evaluate diverse soybean germplasm, breeding populations, and advanced breeding lines under greenhouse and field conditions to identify novel sources of white mold resistance.
- Characterize candidate genes, structural genomic variants, and genomic regions contributing to physiological and genetic resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
- Integrate phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental data to elucidate the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms underlying white mold resistance.
- Conduct population genetics and diversity analyses to identify favorable alleles and breeding signatures for disease resistance across diverse soybean germplasm.
- Identify promising resistant soybean lines for release or use as parents for future crosses
Soybean Breeding Program Support (Field & Greenhouse)
- Actively contribute to the Michigan State University Soybean Breeding and Genetics Program by supporting year-round field, greenhouse, and laboratory breeding operations.
- Assist with the development, advancement, and evaluation of breeding populations for disease resistance, seed quality, yield, agronomic performance, and abiotic stress tolerance.
- Coordinate and conduct hybridization, population development, seed increase, generation advancement, and selection of breeding lines in greenhouse and field environments.
- Plan and execute field trials, disease nurseries, greenhouse experiments, nursery establishment, plot maintenance, phenotypic evaluations, and harvest operations across multiple research locations.
- Collect, curate, and manage high-quality phenotypic and genotypic datasets to support breeding decisions, cultivar development, and genomic analyses.
- Collaborate with breeders, technicians, graduate students, and research associates to ensure the efficient execution of breeding, greenhouse, laboratory, and field research activities.
Disease Phenotyping & Molecular Breeding
- Develop, optimize, and implement reliable greenhouse and field phenotyping protocols for screening soybean germplasm against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
- Develop and validate molecular markers associated with white mold resistance for marker-assisted selection and genomic-assisted breeding.
- Collaborate with soybean breeders to integrate genomic information and molecular markers into breeding pipelines for the development of improved cultivars.
- Support the advancement of elite breeding lines possessing enhanced white mold resistance while maintaining superior yield, seed quality, and agronomic performance.
Research Collaboration, Scientific Communication & Funding
- Publish high-impact research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international scientific conferences.
- Prepare and contribute to competitive grant proposals, concept notes, letters of support, and funding applications for federal agencies, commodity organizations, industry partners, and other extramural funding programs.
- Prepare annual and final technical progress reports, research summaries, and project deliverables for funding agencies, commodity boards, and collaborating organizations, ensuring timely reporting of project milestones, research outcomes, and project impacts.
- Assist in project planning, budgeting, timeline development, and research coordination to support the successful implementation of externally funded research programs.
- Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in disease phenotyping, molecular breeding, genomics, quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, and data analysis.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including plant breeders, plant pathologists, molecular geneticists, bioinformaticians, statisticians, commodity organizations, industry partners, and federal agencies to accelerate the development and deployment of improved soybean cultivars with enhanced white mold resistance, seed quality, and agronomic performance.
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.
A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.
The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Plant Breeding and Genetics, Plant Pathology, or a closely re
