Post-Doctoral Associate – Blueberry Breeding and Genomics

Classification Minimum Requirements

The appointee shall have received the doctorate in a field appropriate to the assigned duties and responsibilities.

Postdoc Aso

This is a 12-month non‑tenure‑accruing postdoctoral researcher position in the Blueberry Breeding and Genomics Lab at the University of Florida. The role focuses on advancing in‑vitro breeding, tissue culture, and mutation breeding strategies for Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum and hybrids), and includes experimental development of ploidy manipulation and mutation breeding techniques.

• Design and conduct multi‑environment field screening trials to characterize novel mutant lines.
• Perform marker‑trait association analyses using genome‑wide SNP datasets to identify and elucidate mutation induction mechanisms and trends in regions affected by different strategies.
• Design metabolic profiling of tissue.
• Identify research opportunities related to tissue culture and cellular manipulation.
• Help develop haploid lines.
• Help screen somatic mutation accumulation during tissue culture.
• Use analytical omics to increase understanding of regeneration, differentiation, competence, and mutations.
• Prepare data reports, present results at scientific meetings, and publish in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Contribute to grant writing and support mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.
• Help mentor other team members and students.

• A doctorate (or foreign equivalent) is required.
• Experience with tissue culture experimentation.
• Strong team player and willing to train junior scientists.
• Independent, self‑motivated, well‑organized, and critical thinker.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Commitment to the Land‑Grant system mission and University of Florida core values.
• Driver’s license to drive to and work at open‑sun field trials.

• Experience with autotetraploid or polyploid plant genetics.
• A doctorate in Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, Horticulture, or a closely related field.
• Experience with field experimental design and phenotypic data collection in crop plants.
• Experience with fruit crops.