Job Summary
A postdoctoral associate position is available in the Dept. of Forestry & Natural Resources at Purdue University. The position will be jointly supervised by Drs. Matt Ginzel (Purdue) and Vikram Chhatre (USDA Forest Service) and will be based at the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC.ORG) in West Lafayette, Indiana. The postdoc will actively work with project personnel from USDA Forest Service, University of Kentucky, Penn State University, Purdue University as well as with key stakeholders from the National Forest System and state level entities.
The postdoc will generate large genome-scale datasets with a variety of techniques such as Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS), Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and targeted genotyping chips (e.g. MassArray) and analyze them together with environmental data using population genetics and machine learning tools. The project involves both hardwood and coniferous species such as white oak, black walnut and shortleaf pine. The postdoc’s work, which will include field work, laboratory and data analysis components, will shed light on adaptability of individual populations of the study species to climates projected for 2070 and beyond and will aid in the development of climate-smart seed sourcing strategies for the eastern US. Multiple peer-reviewed publications are expected to result from this work, to be developed in tandem with key project personnel and collaborators. Travel funding is available to present research at prominent national and regional meetings.
The Dept. of Forestry & Natural Resources at Purdue provides an intellectually invigorating environment with faculty that hold expertise in subjects as varied as digital forestry, genetics, ecology, remote sensing, data science, entomology, wildlife and economics. The postdoc will have opportunities to interact and collaborate with other postdocs and graduate students working on cutting edge science in the aforementioned areas and to develop novel research.
This is a term limited position that is currently funded for 12 months with potential to renew for an additional six months (total 18 months). Renewal is not automatic and is contingent upon satisfactory progress and submission of at least one peer-reviewed publication before the end of the initial 1 year period.
Required Qualifications
- A PhD in genetics, evolution, ecology, biology, or allied areas that will have been awarded prior to beginning this position.
- Highly motivated with a strong work ethic and ability to work independently as well as in close collaborations.
- Demonstrated experience in working with large, genome-scale datasets and in publishing peer-reviewed studies based on those.
- Proficiency in using R for statistical analysis and in statistical modeling.
- Sound working knowledge of unix shell, high performance compute clusters and git.
- Willingness to learn and use a scripting language (e.g. Python) for data analysis and graphics.
- Excellent data organization skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of and experience working with forest trees to answer contemporary questions in ecological genetics, evolution and adaptation to climate.
- An understanding of and experience working with common gardens and provenance trials.
- Knowledge of forest ecosystems in the eastern United States.