Post Doctoral Associate MARS - Bertioli Lab

Posting Number

G/R32514P

Working Title

Post Doctoral Associate MARS - Bertioli Lab

Department

CAES-Applied Genetic Tech Ctr

Employment Type

Employee

Anticipated Start Date

05/01/2026

Posting Date

03/26/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Location of Vacancy

Athens Area

Equal Opportunity Opportunity Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR hrweb.

Position Summary

This position, which reports to the PI of the project Creating a new genetic foundation for the peanut crop, provides critical technical and scientific support to the project. This is a $1.2 M, 4-year program awarded to UGA by the MARS Inc. The program continues UGA’s lead in peanut research in the USA and abroad. This role is responsible for providing technical and scientific support to the management team composed of PI David Bertioli and co-PI Soraya Bertioli.

Duties/Responsibilities

– MARS Research (75%)

• The main objective of the person in this position is to consolidate the collection of neotetraploids: organize, catalogue, curate, perform general characterization (phenotypic, pathological, physiological, cytogenetic, anatomical, nutritional etc). Assist with the design of a comprehensive collection and produce allotetraploids to fill out the gaps of allelic diversity available for peanut breeding.
• Assist allotetraploid seed multiplication for deposit at the USDA and transference to domestic and international collaborators. Assist with paperwork for said transfers (MTAs, Phytosanitary certificates; liaise with quarantine systems in the recipient countries.
• Perform a phylogenetic analyses of wild Arachis species with new genotyping system.
• Other research activities include but are not restricted to: help validate a new genotyping system for wild introgressions; population development; QTL analyses; population analyses; association analysis; cytogenetic analyses; creation on new allotetraploids; plant/disease phenotyping; student mentoring.
• Participate in regional, national and international meetings as appropriate.
• Manuscript writing.

Duties/Responsibilities – Support to general Wild Peanut Lab program activities (25%)

• Help with general lab activities, when needed. Activities may include, but are not restricted to disease and insect bioassays, photo documentation, field and greenhouse planting, scouting and harvest, seed inventory, hosting of visitors.

Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification

PhD degree. Areas: genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, plant breeding, biology or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Demonstrated independent thinking competency
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to manage sensitive information with a high level of discretion
• Flexibility to changing needs within department/college/ industry
• Knowledge on groundnut breeding and genetics, especially disease resistance
• Knowledge on wild Arachis: cytogenetics, genetics, ecology, taxonomy
• Ability to analyze data, write reports and scientific manuscripts

Physical Demands

Normal office environments; greenhouse and field work.

Position of Trust

Yes

Operation, access or control of financial resources

No

Requires P-Card

No

Driving requirement

No

Direct interaction or care of children under 18 or direct patient care

No

Security Access

Yes

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable.

Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

#J-18808-Ljbffr