The University of Connecticut seeks applications for a part time (74%) Research Associate 1/2. This position is in the lab of Professor Charles Yarish within the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and is part of a large ARPA-E grant to develop open-ocean grown sugar kelp ( Saccharina latissima ). Saccharina latissima is a cosmopolitan large multicellular brown alga or kelp. It is phylogenetically distant from both plants and animals, having diverged from green algae early in the evolution of eukaryotes. The project will explore the population structure of New England sugar kelp, its genome and take advantage of its biphasic life cycle to select for desirable traits by Mendelian genetic techniques as well as using innovative genomic selection methodologies.

In research for this project, the Research Associate will collaborate with scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Northeast Fisheries Science Aquaculture Labs, National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA), Cornell University's Plant Breeding Labs, Incheon National University, University of Alaska and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. This positon will be responsible for the overall kelp-breeding program in association with PI and a post-doctoral associate and will communicate and write reports. This position will oversee the isolation and maintenance of the kelp cultures at UConn from populations throughout New England; and work with colleagues at Cornell University in the implementation and design of the breeding program at two farm sites in southern New England. Additional duties include collecting all breeding data, running ecophysiological and genetic analyses, maintaining the kelp cultures in the laboratory with post-doctoral associate, working with Cornell scientists to identify a reference population, and estimating important population genetic parameters of the New England sugar kelp.

Anticipated Division of Time:

• Isolation and maintenance of kelp cultures for experimental and breeding program design and data analysis: 60%
• Communication and coordination with collaborators: 20%
• Preparation of quarterly reports to ARPA-E: 10%
• Training of lab members and collaborators in kelp algal cultivation, ecophysiology and population genetics: 10%

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. An earned Ph.D. in Botany, Marine Science, Biology, or a closely related field.
2. Expertise in marine phycology with experience or interest in the isolation, cultivation, and ecophysiology of macroalgae, especially kelp.
3. 1 year of postdoctoral experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Proven scientific writing ability and communication skills.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a part time (74%), annually renewable position with an expected duration of three years contingent upon funding and performance. Rank and salary dependent upon qualifications and background. The anticipated start date is March 16, 2018

TO APPLY

Upload a cover letter, resume and three professional letters of reference to https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs/ . Indicate search number 2018277. Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. (Search # 2018277)

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on March 7, 2018.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University's teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn's ranking as one of the nation's top research universities. UConn's faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.



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