Research Associate (Crop Pathology and Genetics)

Research Associate (Crop Pathology and Genetics)

The Crop Pathology and Genetics Research Group at the Faculty of Land and Food Systems invites applications for a full time Research Associate in the area of Barley Genetics and Pathology with an anticipated start date of June 15, 2022.

The successful candidate will responsible for performing field and crop production activities at UBC farms and other off campus nursery locations. The hire will prepare for field season especially for disease nurseries of cereal crops such as wheat, oat and barley and collaborate with other lab and UBC field technicians (technical staff at Totem Field and the Greenhouse). This position also aims at making crosses of wheat and barley crops in greenhouse as well as field. The hire will prepare stripe rust and FHB disease inoculum for field use. This position will be responsible for overall looking after the seeding, crop management, harvesting and threshing of seed material and coordinating in exchange of seed material with other research groups across North America. This position will act as Lab Manager and shall be responsible for all purchases pertaining to lab as well as field research experiments. The hire will assist in research project framing and grants writing. The position will also write research manuscripts for the ongoing research projects and will provide research support to the supervisor Dr. Gurcharn Brar.

Candidates must have a PhD and at least three years of post-doctoral experience, preferably in cereal pathology, plant breeding, molecular genetics and preference will be given to those with experience with plant breeding for sustainable agriculture. Familiarity with Canadian cereal networks and research institutions is also required. Candidates with demonstrated contributions in cereal research systems and sustainable agriculture are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references to: Dr. Gurcharn Brar, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, 2357 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6T 1Z4; or electronically (e-applications are encouraged) to gurcharn.brar@ubc.ca. The application deadline is June 11, 2022. Only those asked for an interview will be contacted.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the BC Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.