Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Essential

Job Duties
- The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences encompasses varied disciplines in research, extension, and teaching. The department's mission is to develop future leaders in crop, soil and environmental sciences, improve crop plants and products, devise effective and sustainable crop production systems, devise effective and sustainable soil management techniques in both agriculture and urban settings; and disseminate crop, soil, and environmental science, knowledge for the benefit of producers of food, feed, turf, biofuels and fiber in North Carolina.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities of this position are to conduct, perform, and execute cotton genetics and breeding research focused on genomic selection (GS), nested association mapping (NAM), and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for important agronomic traits in tetraploid cotton. The candidate is expected to perform cotton genetics and breeding research in the field, greenhouse, and lab-based settings; develop and evaluate genetic, genomic resources, and analysis of genotypic data (GBS, resequencing, array-based and targeted genotyping panel SNPs) and phenotypic data, and use a varied array of statistical, genetics, and bioinformatics tools and methods.

This position requires the candidate to summarize results, present them as technical reports and presentations at the meetings, and communicate through peer-reviewed publications. The candidate will have the opportunity to participate and cooperatively work with other lab members in the ongoing trait mapping and breeding projects towards dissecting the genetic architecture of agronomic traits and improving cotton productivity through advanced breeding tools.

Further, the candidate is expected to mentor and supervise the students in the cotton program. This position is initially for one year but can be extended based on satisfactory research progress and availability of funds.

Other Work/Responsibilities
- The Postdoc researcher is expected to mentor and manage student researchers in all settings of the cotton genetics and breeding program (lab, greenhouse, and field-based). The Postdoc is expected to effectively manage the cotton genetic resources in the greenhouses and in the field, and seed processing, storage, and organization of seed. The Postdoc researcher is expected to cooperatively work with a varied group of cotton scientists across the US cotton belt in collecting and analyzing data and communicating the research results to peer reviewed manuscripts.

Requirements and Preferences

Work Schedule
- Monday
- Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Department Required Skills
- PhD in genetics or, plant breeding or plant biology, or related field. Computer-literate. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work well independently and in a collaborative research environment are essential. Prior experience in field breeding of cotton, including experimental design, planting, sampling, and data collection. Prior experience with phenotypic and genotypic data analysis is required. Experience with statistical analyses using SAS and/or R programs in plant breeding is required.

Experience in communication of research results in peer-reviewed journals is required.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education
- Experience in molecular genetic analysis of complex plant traits is preferred.

Required License or Certification - A valid NC Driver's License and the ability to obtain an NC Driver's License within 60 days of hire. A valid Driver's License must be maintained throughout employment.

Valid NC Driver's License required? - Yes

Commercial Driver's License Required? - No

Recruitment Details

Anticipated Hiring Range - commensurate with experience ($58,656)

Job Open Date - 08/04/2026

EEO - NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact  to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at  or workatncstate. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.