INTERNATIONAL
RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
POST: Postdoctoral Fellow - Plant
Pathology (PDF-2010-04-CV)
REFERENCE NUMBER: PDF-2012-04-CV
APPLY BY: 15 April 2012
The PDF will work at IRRI HQ, and
takes the lead with the IRS in the project on “Genetic and Molecular Dissection
of the Broad-spectrum Resistance to Blast and Bacterial Blight in Rice” in
collaboration with CAAS and BGI, China. In this project, IRRI, CAAS and BGI
will work in a series of carefully designed experiments to dissect the genetic
and molecular mechanisms underlying the broad-spectrum resistance to blast and
bacterial blight in a series of rice introgression lines (ILs) with resistance
to blast and bacterial blight. To undertake this entire project, we will employ
various approaches: phenotyping, mapping, SNP genotyping, genome resequencing,
transcriptomic analysis of microarrays, and proteomic analyses. The expected
results will include the discovery of large number of resistance genes and gene
networks underlying the broad-spectrum resistance of the ILs, and the molecular
breeding strategies for developing rice cultivars with broad-spectrum and
durable resistance to both of these major diseases, blast and bacterial blight,
which will be of immediate use in rice breeding program.
DUTIES
In coordination with the team at
IRRI, the candidate will help coordinate the research on analyzing the genetic
basis, mapping and identification of genes and/or QTLs associated with
broad-spectrum resistance to blast and bacterial blight. This collaboration will
be carried out with partners from the Institute of Crop Science (ICS) at the
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the Beijing Genomics
Institute (BGI)-Shenzhen.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
INCLUDE:
1. To perform phenotyping of
parents and IL populations (i.e. 41 BC1F5 lines in Huanghuazhan genetic
background) against diagnostic races of blast and bacterial blight at IRRI and
in China.
2. To analyze the diversity of
resistance alleles and find broad-spectrum R genes based on the data of
phenotypic evaluations using different races of blast and bacterial blight, and
genotypes of IL populations
3. To complete the SNP genotyping
of the ILs and data analysis to identify the loci conferring broad-spectrum
resistance against blast and bacterial blight
4. To identify ILs from breeding
populations with contrasting genotypes and phenotypes against diagnostic blast
and bacterial blight races
5. To provide novel information
about blast and bacterial blight resistance useful for the rice breeding
program
QUALIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS:
•PhD in Molecular Plant
Pathology, with specialization in genetics or molecular biology preferred
•Strong background and experience
in host plant resistance, and working knowledge on rice bacterial and fungal
diseases
•English: Written and Spoken
•Working knowledge in disease
resistance breeding and genetics
•Experience in bioinformatics
application for microarray analysis and molecular biological skills for gene
expression profiling
•Strong communication skills and
a good publication record
•Participation in research
project implementation and experience in project reporting
Screening will start on 15 April
2012 and will continue until a suitable candidate has been found.
Please indicate the position
reference number in the e-mail subject line. IRRI regrets that only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted.
IRRI provides a multicultural
work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, and
respect for diversity, with a competitive compensation and benefit package.
Women are encouraged to apply.
Join us to deliver rice science
for a better world
Interested candidates should
apply online. Should you encounter problems applying online please email at irrirecruitment@irri.org .
FOR DETAILS, PLEASE REFER
