Oregon State University Seeks Plant Breeder

The department is seeking an experienced plant breeder to lead its wheat breeding and genetics program. The program is charged with the development and release of varieties of wheat to serve the needs of Oregon’s wheat growers and the changing marketplace. These wheat varieties must be resilient to abiotic and biotic stresses, possess high-quality grain, and serve as a foundational component of climate-smart agriculture in the state. The incumbent will complement the breeding program with genetic studies of important agronomic, disease resistance, and quality traits. The wheat breeder will integrate traditional and contemporary tools to develop innovative approaches to achieving the goals of the program.

This wheat breeder position is a tenure-track 1.0 FTE, 9-month position located at the Corvallis campus with the following anticipated distribution of duties: 55% research, 25% scholarship, 10% teaching, 5% service, and 5% supervision. The position can be offered at any academic rank, from Assistant Professor through Professor, depending upon experience of the incumbent. The successful candidate will be eligible to hold the Warren E. Kronstad Wheat Research Endowed Chair.

 

The successful candidate will have an established record in crop plant breeding with emerging distinction as a scientist in the field. The wheat breeder will integrate field trials, genomics, quantitative genetics, phenomics, bioinformatics, and novel approaches for genetic improvement of wheat varieties through the program’s breeding and genetics efforts.

 

The incumbent is expected to teach courses in the Plant Breeding and Genetics (PBG) program and will mentor graduate students and postdocs in this field. The wheat breeder will effectively communicate the goals and accomplishments of the program to varied audiences. The incumbent will be expected to establish a competitive and extramurally funded research program with a focus on wheat improvement and to publish the program’s research findings in peer-reviewed journals. The wheat breeder will be expected to work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams on achievement of the program’s goals and to collaborate effectively with the wheat industry in Oregon and surrounding states. The successful candidate is expected to have a commitment to and an understanding of the importance of enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

Closing date is October 17, 2022. To apply please visit: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/125104