The apple geneticist/breeding position ARS-D20Y-10862382-SC
This position is located in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Appalachian Fruit Research Station, in Kearneysville, WV.
The incumbent will work in the Genetic Improvement of Fruit Crops through Functional Genomics and Breeding Research Unit. The mission of the Station is to conduct fundamental, applied and developmental research on critical problems of temperate fruit production (apples, peaches, pears, plums, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries).
Responsibilities
- Conceive, plan, execute, and report research results involving genetic, molecular, and physiological regulation of major factors impacting fruit tree disease resistance, fruit quality, and/or productivity.
- Perform investigations to understand the genetics that underlie important fruit tree traits, and for the improvement of fruit tree breeding resources.
- Utilize rapid cycle breeding systems in combination with, genomic selection and gene editing technologies along with traditional breeding strategies to generate superior apple parental types and scion varieties.
- Study the genetics of target apple traits.
- Map key loci and identify candidate genes controlling target apple traits.
- Develop and characterize apple germplasm resources and new apple varieties.