M.S. position en la universidad de Nebraska, Lincoln

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) Position in the Areas of Stress Physiology, Genomics, and High-throughput Phenotyping at University of Nebraska.

Walia <http://agronomy.unl.edu/web/agronomy/walia> and Kruger<http://westcentral.unl.edu/kruger> labs in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture at University of Nebraska (UNL) are looking to hire a qualified and motivated candidate for graduate research assistant (GRA) position (M.S.). This position could be transitioned to a Ph.D. position dependent on project progress and performance.

 Primary research interest is in understanding how plants adapt to these environmental stresses. We are particularly interested in the physiological and molecular characterization of crop responses to drought stress. Research in the lab focuses on stress tolerance during developmental stages that are particularly sensitive to abiotic stresses resulting in yield and biomass losses. We are using genomics, computational, high-throughput phenotyping and physiological approaches to elucidate the mechanisms involved in abiotic stress tolerance in wheat. The overall research goal is to discover genes and genetic variants that can be used to improve crop performance in sub-optimal growing conditions.

More specifically, the project focus is on root-related traits that are involved in drought adaptation in wheat. The project will involve phenotyping of root traits using high-throughput phenotyping platform, analysis of imaging data, genomics and genetic analysis of underlying genes involved in drought adaptation. Opportunities will exist to work with an interdisciplinary team that involves field phenotyping, bioinformatics and biochemistry. Experience of working in a plant research lab, molecular biology training and familiarity with bioinformatics tools are desirable.

 If interested in graduate student opportunities in the lab, please send a detailed resume, statement of research interests and contact details (phone, email) for at least three professional references. The graduate program in Department of Agronomy and Horticulture require GRE scores along with TOEFL scores for International Students and/or students with non-English speaking backgrounds. Interested should contact:

 Harkamal Walia

 Department of Agronomy and Horticulture

 University of Nebraska, Lincoln

 (click here http://agronomy.unl.edu/web/agronomy/walia for contact information)
  Selected/shortlisted candidates must be approved by Graduate Studies Committee and must apply to Graduate School for acceptance into a program and be admitted prior to joining the lab. Applicants must meet Graduate School requirements.