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Research Associate, Molecular Fruit Breeding Program at Sun World Innovations Variety Development Center
About the Role: Sun World Innovations, a division of Sun World International LLC (www.sun-world.com<http://www.sun-world.com/>), is seeking applicants for a Research Associate position for its molecular fruit breeding program at the renowned Sun World Innovations Variety Development Center located near Bakersfield, California. The Research Associate will work with breeders, research associates and others at the Variety Development Center in the areas of marker assisted selection and other molecular capabilities, as well as post harvest evaluations within the breeding programs to aid in the identification and development of new table grape and stone fruit varieties.
Responsibilities include management of the molecular and post harvest labs as well as coordination of greenhouse seedling organization and field seedling phenotyping, as related to Molecular Lab work. The Research Associate will also be involved in other duties in the breeding programs as needed. At Sun World, all jobs include broad responsibilities for continually improving the processes and tools used to develop new fruit varieties. Specific skills required include previous experience with large-scale DNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, and allele calling. Background in association analysis, QTL analysis, and candidate gene work for marker development are preferred. Additionally, experience with fruit post-harvest lab operation is preferred but not required.
About the Company: Sun World International LLC is one of California's top table grape grower-marketers and operates the world's preeminent fruit breeding and licensing enterprise with more than 1,600 licensed growers on five continents. The company's variety development center focuses on development of new seedless table grape, peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry varieties. Sun World's company culture is to create a supportive work environment that nurtures open and friendly communication, provides targeted focus and direction, and encourages collaboration and team interaction. Sun World is committed to providing opportunities for individuals to grow along with the company, as well as cultivate their personal well-being.
The successful candidate will have the following skills, experience and attributes:
* M.S. degree and/or 2+ years' hands-on experience in plant molecular biology, molecular plant breeding, molecular plant pathology, or a related field. Demonstrated experience in plant molecular biology techniques is required.
* Expertise with techniques required for marker-assisted breeding (i.e. DNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, and allele calling on a large scale) and other molecular techniques that support a molecular breeding program.
* Excellent laboratory and greenhouse organizational skills with attention to detail.
* Expertise using, maintaining, and troubleshooting equipment, and protocols used in a molecular biology lab.
* Ability to perform molecular biology research with commercial kits and classical protocols that require preparation of diverse reagents and materials.
* Strong passion for working with fruit; self-motivated, dedicated, and willing to work and balance a diverse set of yearly tasks.
* A positive team member, excellent communicator, and willing collaborator across diverse scientific disciplines.
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, CV and summary of scientific work to:
[cid:image006.jpg@01D217FB.6D4738E0]Sun World International LLC, Human Resources Department
5701 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 200, Bakersfield, CA 93308
twoods(a)sun-world.com<mailto:twoods@sun-world.com>, 661-631-4100
Dear All,
RosEXEC (the U.S. Rosaceae Genomics, Genetics, and Breeding Executive Committee,) is ready for another round of elections to renew membership for 2017. As a reminder, RosEXEC helps coordinate research initiatives in the U.S. Rosaceae Genomics, Genetics, and Breeding community (www.rosaceae.org/community/us_rosexec<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.rosaceae.org_commun…>).
We need nominations! We are looking to add five new U.S. members (three-year terms) and two new international liaisons (two-year terms). If you are willing to join or know of someone else who would be great for RosEXEC participation, please email me at kgasic(a)clemson.edu<mailto:kgasic@clemson.edu>the following info for each nominated candidate prior to Monday 10th October<x-apple-data-detectors://7>:
* name
* CV (short version)
* brief statement (100-word max) on proposed contributions to the RosEXEC mission
Just names are good enough to get us moving – although if you are nominating someone else, it’s best if you have checked their interest first. I can contact them soon after to obtain the CV and brief statement.
Past service: Five U.S. people will be rotating off as of Jan 2017, after three-year terms: Gina Fernandez, Briana Gross, Duke Lane, Greg Reighard and Gayle Volk, who served as Chair in 2015. Two international liaisons will also be rotating off after two-year terms: Michael Dossett and Riccardo Velasco. Thanks to all of these RosEXEC members for their service! As a reward, these people get a one-year respite (unless voted in as the 2017 Secretary) and so are not eligible for immediate re-election. However, those who rotated off in prior years are allowed to rejoin.
Current members continuing into 2017 are, Cameron Peace (Chair -> Past Chair) Ksenija Gasic (Vice chair -> Chair), Mercy Olmstead (Secretary -> Vice Chair), Richard Bell, Jill Bushakra, Chunxian Chen, Amy Iezzoni, Kenong Xu, Bob Curtis, Steve Knapp, Jim McFerson, Vance Whitaker, Eric van de Weg (Intl), David Chagne (Intl), and Dorrie Main (ex officio).
Diversity is important to any committee – we aim to represent (1) roughly equally the various Rosaceae crop production and research regions of the U.S., (2) at least a couple members each of university, government / USDA-ARS, and industry, (3) rosoid, pome, and stone fruit research focuses, roughly equally, and (4) various parts of the rest of the research world. Current members continuing into 2017 add up to:
U.S. regions: 3 south, 3 east, and 6 west – slightly skewed towards west
Institutions: 7 university, 2 government, 1 industry – need more industry and govt
Crop groups: 3.0 rosoid, 2.8 pome, and 6.3 stone – need more rosoid and pome
International: 1 NZ/Aus, 1 Europe – need Asia, S. Africa, Down Under, S. America
The only mandate for new 2017 membership is that one U.S. member must be industry. Details above are just a guide for areas most needing representation. Another area that would be particularly useful to have represented is bioinformatics (in Rosaceae), given RosEXEC’s recently acquired new role as steering committee for the GDR.
Our next in-person, open meeting will be within the Plant & Animal Genome (PAG) Conference in San Diego, CA on Sunday January 15, 2017 from 8-10 am<x-apple-data-detectors://12>. All welcome! Specific details will be distributed closer to the event.
Timeline:
Nominations to me by Monday 10th October<x-apple-data-detectors://13>
Voting will be carried out 17 -31 October<x-apple-data-detectors://14> (U.S. researchers may cast votes)
New members will be announced by mid-November
Secretary nominations and election (internal RosEXEC process) by Christmas/the PAG meeting
Regards,
Ksenija
RosEXEC Vice Chair and Membership Subcommittee Chair in 2016
