Assistant/Associate Professor in Molecular Crop Improvement

The Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance (IGCAST) is a new institute at Texas Tech University (TTU) with the mission to conduct top-ranked research and graduate education on the use of functional and population genomics to understand the molecular mechanisms that determine the resilience to adverse environmental stress in crop plants and related wild-species. IGCAST aims at integrating an interdisciplinary team of scientists to conduct internationally competitive, multidisciplinary research to study abiotic stress mechanisms to contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture. Faculty members within the IGCAST will have an academic appointment in the Plant and Soil Science Department/College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources . IGCAST is seeking to recruit a 9-month tenure-track faculty member in molecular crop improvement at the level of assistant or associate professor. Candidates should have a strong background in quantitative genetics, molecular biology and genomics, with proven experience in the use of genome editing technologies to create novel genomic diversity. Appointees are expected to develop an internationally recognized program in crop genome research, combining fundamental research and education with application to crop improvement for abiotic stress tolerance, especially but not limited to cotton and other crops relevant to West Texas agriculture. Applicants with experience in using genome-editing strategies of regulatory regions to create genetic or epigenetic variants are strongly encouraged to apply. Successful candidates should employ a systems approach to study abiotic stress responses from whole-plant to cell-specific molecular responses. To facilitate these type of studies, IGCAST faculty will have access to a new state of the art plant growth facility that includes 3 fully automatized greenhouses integrated with walk-in growth chambers to work with conventional and transgenic plants, as well as to state of the art genomic, imaging and metabolomic services available at TTU.  Position responsibility will focus on research with an anticipated teaching responsibility of one graduate course per year plus the training of graduate students and post-doctoral associates. Service duties include program-building, as well as commitment to extra-curricular activities.  Service to the department, college, and university is expected.

QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum qualifications include a Ph.D. in plant biology with at least two years of postdoctoral experience in plant development or gene expression using genome-editing tools. Appointees are expected to have good communication and analytical skills, cross-disciplinary research experience, teaching skills at graduate level, the ability to identify and aggressively pursue competitive funding from national and international sources for research, and a demonstrated and ongoing commitment to serving diverse student populations. Successful candidates are expected to publish in the top 10% journals in their area of expertise.  

APPLICATIONS: Applicants should send a CV, PDFs of their 3 most important publications, and a three-page description of their scientific accomplishments and proposed research program. Applicants should also provide the names of three references along with their contact information.. Application materials must be submitted on-line at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/workattexastech/

Requisition Number 16948BR. Questions should be addressed to Dr. Luis Herrera-Estrella, Search Committee Chair, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409-2122, Phone (806) 834-4325; email: Luis.Herrera-Estrella@ttu.edu. Review of the applications will begin May 1st, 2019 and will continue until the position is filled. Expected starting date is Fall 2019 (negotiable).