Position Description

The Breeding Insight Plant Breeding Coordinator will lead the integration of statistical analyses from genotypic and phenotypic data to provide breeding-decision support efforts for USDA-ARS specialty plant breeders. The Coordinator, in concert with the science and software engineering teams, will work as 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 major crops and livestock, though these specialty species together have equal economic value to the major crops and provide valuable nutrition and flavor to diets. One of Breeding Insight’s aims 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 to create healthy, nutritious, and sustainable specialty crops and animals.  Breeding Insight currently supports 27 ARS specialty species at the start of 2024.

The Plant Breeding Coordinator will have proven expertise in applying genetic principles to enable the interpretation of biological phenomena and provide information that guides strategies and optimizes resources in specialty breeding programs. The Plant Breeding Coordinator is responsible for working directly with the breeders to assist them in implementing optimal experimental and trial design, data processing for statistical analyses, and contributing to breeding decision support tool creation at BI. The Plant Breeding Coordinator will also participate in weekly meetings, annual site visits, and provide breeding decision support. Through the process of supporting these programs, the Plant Breeding Coordinator will gain the experience necessary to set use-case and development priorities.

The Plant Breeding Coordinator will be a highly visible person central to the success of Breeding Insight and will report to the Breeding Program Lead. The Breeding Insight project integrates a team of USDA-ARS breeders (based at research locations across the US), with a scientific team and a software development team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with breeders at multiple breeding locations across the US to understand their breeding objectives, data analytic needs, and to manage project deliverables.

• Work with PIs and breeders at USDA centers and universities to develop workflows for genomic-phenomic data analyses, 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 each breeding program.

• Overall, combine these communications into a regular process in conjunction with the development cycle implemented by the software team to ensure a well-defined roadmap of new methods and features.

• In communication with breeders, design and help execute evaluation experiments and analyses of features introduced by Breeding Insight on which follow-up requirement documents are based.

Required Qualifications:

The coordinator will be recruited based on core competency in several different areas, including plant breeding, field trial design, data management, GWAS, linkage mapping, QTL studies, genomic selection, bioinformatics, quantitative genetics, and project management.  The ability to conduct analyses on large data sets and interpret results for decision making is required.  Must be proficient with Excel, R, ASReml, Linux/Unix systems, Python/perl.  Must have experience in linkage mapping, QTL studies, genomic selection, data analysis, and project management.  Experience with multiple crops, and experience working with diverse teams are preferred. Knowledge of information technologies, analytics, and methods appropriate for polyploid genomic data and/or image analysis are beneficial.  Above all, the coordinator must have demonstrated exceptional verbal and written communication skills.  A PhD in the field of plant breeding, quantitative genetics, molecular breeding, plant genetics, biological informatics, molecular biology, or related field, plus two-three years’ postdoctoral or equivalent post-PhD experience is required.

This position is a two-year term appointment with the possibility of extension contingent upon continued funding.  

The position is located in Ithaca, NY on the Cornell University campus but remote work options are possible for candidates residing within the continental US and are willing to travel.

Why Cornell?

Benefits and rewards include:

• Comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, and more.

• Our leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.

• Impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Part-Time Study and Employee Degree Program, heavily discounted eCornell courses and certificate programs, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.