The
Breeding Insight Phenomics Coordinator will lead use-case development and
specification to integrate breeding team phenotypic data collection with a
software engineering team as a part of a national initiative to extend the
application of genotypic information to routine development of specialty crops
and animals. Breeding of specialty crops and animals has lagged behind the
major crops and livestock, but these specialty species together have equal
economic value to the major crops and provide lots of nutrition and flavor to
diets. One of the avenues for improving
this situation is to accelerate breeding efforts by integrating the use of
phenomics (trait analysis) with genomics and natural variation to increase the
rate of genetic gain and create novel healthy, nutritious, and sustainable
specialty crops and animals.
The Coordinator:
·
Coordinates with
breeders at 5 breeding locations across the US (South Carolina, Oregon, West
Virginia, New York, and Minnesota) to understand their breeding objectives,
phenotyping needs, and manage project deliverables.
·
Work with PIs and
breeders at USDA centers and universities to develop genomic breeding
strategies, specify use-cases that clearly spell out the computational and
interface requirements of the breeders, and form project plans to develop key
capabilities and integrate Breeding Insight into the breeding programs.
·
Overall, combines
these communications into a regular process coordinated with the development
cycle implemented by the software team to ensure a well-defined roadmap of new
methods and features.
·
In communication
with breeders, designs and helps execute evaluation experiments and analyses of
features introduced to the Breeding Insight on which follow-up requirement
documents are based.
The Ithaca-based Phenomics Coordinator will
be a highly visible person central to the success of Breeding Insight and
report to the Breeding Insight project director and lead coordinator. The
Breeding Insight project integrates a team of breeders (based at research
locations across the US) with a software development team (based in Ithaca).
This position is a two-year term appointment with the possibility of extension contingent upon continued funding.
Qualifications
and Education Requirements
The coordinator will be recruited
based on core competency in several different areas, including
high throughput phenotyping, bioinformatics, quantitative genetics, and applied
plant breeding. Above all, the coordinator must have demonstrated exceptional
communication skills. A PhD in field robotics, breeding, physiology, biological
informatics, quantitative genetics or related field and three yearsâ
postdoctoral or equivalent post PhD experience is required. Experience with
multiple crops or animals, and experience working with diverse teams are
preferred. Knowledge of the use of information technology in breeding data
collections methods are beneficial. This position is a two-year term appointment with the possibility of extension contingent upon continued funding and successful performance.
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