*Cornell University – College of Agriculture and Life Sciences*

*School of Integrative Plant Science – Section of Plant Pathology and Plant Microbe Biology*

*New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York*

*Post-Doctoral Associate Position*

The College of Agriculture and Life Science is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education and outreach. The questions we prove and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with an interest in interdisciplinary research into understanding disease resistance mechanisms in rosaceous fruit trees. The candidate will have the opportunity to do excellent and cutting edge research in genomics, bioinformatics, and quantitative genetics and will have access to world’s largest apple collection and state-of-art computational and genome sequencing facilities. *Please read the “Required Qualifications” carefully to apply for this position.*

The main responsibilities of this position are to identify QTLs, pathways, and candidate genes underlying disease resistance in rosaceous fruit trees through: 1) the application and development of bioinformatics tools for heterozygous species to integrate high throughput genotyping, DNA sequencing, RNA-Seq data with disease resistance/susceptibility phenotypes; 2) design and execution of experiments in the greenhouse and lab; as well as to 3) publish peer-reviewed journal articles; 4) help develop research proposals; and 5) present at international conferences.

*Specific Work Responsibilities:* The specific focus of this position will be:

*Bioinformatics and quantitative genetics analysis (70%): *Application and development of bioinformatic and quantitative genetic methods to dissect genetic basis and candidate gene identification underlying disease resistance

*Research Communication (15%):* Publish peer-reviewed journal articles, present at scientific meetings, seminars, workshops and develop both web-based and traditional tools for outreach and research extension.

*Experiments for assessment of disease resistance in Apples (10%):* Design of experiments, inoculations, and assessment of disease; Sample collection, DNA/RNA extraction, and sequencing

*Proposal Development (5%):* Motivated and creative thinker to support development of research proposals for basic and applied plant genetics and molecular biology.

*Required Qualifications:* Must possess a PhD in plant genetics/breeding, plant pathology, plant molecular biology, or a related field. Candidate must have excellent skills in bioinformatics, data mining, programing, and statistics. Must have demonstrated experience with high-throughput genome sequencing, RNAseq data, molecular markers and quantitative genetics and good experience in molecular biology laboratory and greenhouse. Candidate must have a record of publications with at least two first-author publications in highly respected peer-reviewed journals and be self-motivated for data analysis and writing research articles.

*Preferred Qualifications:*

Candidate should be able to multi-task and have good time management and attention to detail in order to meet tight deadlines, and work independently to initiate communications and ambitious collaborative research. Creativity and proactiveness are assets, as well as enthusiasm to work and interact in an international scientific environment. Excellent student supervision/mentoring skills are beneficial.

Interested candidates should send letter of motivation, Curriculum Vitae, and names and contact information for three references to:

*Awais Khan, Ph.D., Associate Professor,*

*Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section,*

*School of Integrative Plant Science,*

*New York State Agricultural Experiment Station*

*Cornell University*

*221 Barton Lab, 630 West North Street*

*Geneva, NY 14456 USA*

*Email: **awais.khan@cornell.edu* awais.khan@cornell.edu