Requirements:
Minimum Requirements: -Ph.D. in Plant Sciences or related areas. -Strong background in corn breeding and statistical data analyses and interpretation. -Knowledge of screening methods for disease resistance and others utilized in the program. -Demonstrated success with meeting deadlines on industry entry forms, research grants, publications, agreements, forms, releases, presentations, meetings, etc. -Outstanding record of professional achievement and teamwork in research. -Experience in corn field trial establishment, crop production, pollination, and harvest techniques. -Experience in mechanized agriculture. -Excellent interpersonal, organizational, leadership and oral and written communication skills with scientists, research specialists, seasonal and hourly employees, and graduate students. -Demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of people to enhance the NDSU corn breeding program at the local, state and national levels. -Experience in recruitment, training, and retention of employees. -Valid U.S. driver's license. -Ability to load and transport research equipment. -Ability to work outdoors under extreme weather conditions. Preferred Requirements: Experience in corn breeding and genetics. -Knowledge and experience with corn disease inoculations, screening, and selection. -Field corn research at the phenotypic level. -Ability to operate and repair agricultural field and research scale equipment. -Commercial Pesticide Applicators License.
Job Description:
Support and leadership for the Corn Breeding Project. Assist in conducting the corn genetics and breeding program for all traits the 70-95 CRM relative maturity for northern U.S. Corn Belt, but especially in North Dakota and central and northern Minnesota. Communication and traveling with NDSU corn breeding employees and partners will be important. This position will have active involvement with our non-exclusive and exclusive brands selling in the market area. Responsibilities include field plot disease management and research. Manage disease nurseries and tests and provide lists of disease resistant cultivars. Assist with delegated responsibilities given by main research specialist and PI.
Breeding Program Profile: The NDSU corn breeding program has over 80 years of continuous research and it is known for being the most northern public corn breeding program in North America, moving corn north to cooler seasons and west to drier areas. The goals of the program are to adapt unique corn germplasm, maximize its genetic improvement, develop corn cultivars, and train the next generation of corn breeders. Our program exploits unique environment for corn breeding and acts as a unique genetic provider to foundation seed companies, retailer seed companies, processing industry, and breeders nationally and internationally. Most industry breeding centers developing products for North Dakota and central and northern Minnesota are located in southern Minnesota. In the past 10 years, the NDSU corn breeding program has released 25 unique short-season lines, 8 germplasms, and has identified 5 unique hybrids for commercial production. The products have been adapted to very short seasons, with cold and drought tolerance, fast dry down, and enhanced quality. Some of these products were developed through the ‘NDSU EarlyGEM Program', the first long-term research program developed with the purpose to increase the genetic diversity of northern U.S. hybrids with tropical genetic materials. More information available on: http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/plantsci/faculty/Carena.htm The position we are offering is essential as it will assist both the principal investigator and the main research specialist of the project.
