Title: “Study of the genetic diversity of tetraploid wheats with structural and functional genomics techniques” A 2-year research grant, further renewable for two years, is available at the Agricultural Genetics and Genomics research group at DISTAL, Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
The postdoc will be responsible for research on the structural and functional genomics of durum and soft wheat. The main objective is to contribute to develop the pangenome of tetraploid wheats. The candidate will collaborate with an international research team to characterize the structural and functional genetic variation of the Global Durum Genomic Resource collection. Funds are available from the PRIN project “PANWHEATGRAIN”.
The candidate will carry out bioinformatics and wet-lab activities for the definition of the pangenome and the hap-catalogue of the species, transcriptome analysis using RNA-seq and Isoseq, gene annotation, gene network analysis and GWAS. The pangenome data will be exploited to connect the structural variants in the germplasm with gene expression and gene network patterns and the phenotypes of agronomic impact such as development (flowering, fertility and quality), grain development and grain quality.
The candidate will also partially work to develop genetic materials, manage experiments in growth chamber, greenhouse and open field necessary for the project’s objectives.
Research activity plan:
– Assembly and annotation of pangenomes:
Structural analysis of >20 durum wheat genomes and wild relatives (PacBio HiFi) in collaboration with International Research partners. Gene annotation from transcriptomic data (RNASeq and Isoseq). Comparative analysis between durum wheat and common wheat genomes
– Transcriptomic and gene network analysis in pangenome genotypes in relation to:
ear development and protein accumulation in the kernel, response to biotic and abiotic stress, response to nitrogen fertilization
– Haplotype analysis and association between genomic/structural variation and phenotype.
The candidate is required to have PhD and/or postdoc experience in genetics and genomics (structural and functional), preferably in the plant field, and in bioinformatics (analysis and comparison of assemblies, gene annotation, mapping and transcriptomic analysis, gene network).
The candidate will take an active part in the management of the project and in training and tutoring master and PhD students. The ability to work in a team is required but also operational autonomy, excellent knowledge of the English language, ability to contribute to the production of drafts of scientific papers.
The candidate will take an active part in the management of the project and training and tutoring activities of master and PhD students and exercises in master classes. The ability to work in a team is required but also operational autonomy, excellent knowledge of the English language, ability to contribute to the production of drafts of scientific papers.
Please send your cv to Roberto Tuberosa, roberto.tuberosa@unibo.it, Marco Maccaferri, marco.maccaferri@unibo.it, Cristian Forestan, cristian.forestan@unibo.it
The detailed call, open until February 3rd, 2023, is available at: https://bandi.unibo.it/ricerca/assegni-ricerca?id_bando=65999