The Small Fruit Breeding Program at Auburn University is seeking a breeding data manager and curator specialist (Post Doc Fellow) to support the research activities of a USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative Program award to Washington State University, Clemson University, University of Florida, Auburn University, University of Queensland, and USDA ARS. This highly collaborative project includes a diverse team of researchers working on crop breeding, genomics, genetics, curation, and bioinformatics. This is a benefit eligible, non-tenure track position available for two years. The project will expand the Rosaceae, Citrus, Vaccinium and Pulse crop databases to meet community demand for resources with usable big data aggregated, analyzed, integrated, and visualized, as well as data management and analysis tools.
This specialist based at Auburn University will support (1) collect, curate, and integrate all types of genomics, genetics, and breeding big data in easy-to-use and robust crop-specific databases, and (2) provide scientists/breeders with personalized training for field data collection software, big data management and analysis, and use of database resources, quantify impact of databases on genomics-assisted breeding, and broadly disseminate project activities and outcomes. Additionally, the specialist will work closely with the blueberry breeder at Auburn University to collect and analyze phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental data to build prediction models for key traits of blueberry such as flowering time, yield, and fruit quality.
This position reports to Dr. Sushan Ru at Auburn University. Meanwhile, the PDs of the Washington State University Drs. Dorrie Main and Sook Jung and will closely work together with their cohort of other crop curators and outreach specialists. This position requires frequent travel including driving.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
- Collect and curate genomic, genetic, and breeding data and upload to the Genome Database for Vaccinium and Genome Database for Rosaceae
- Help create outreach and training materials for specialty crop breeders and researchers
- Provide webinars and on-site training on how to use the Genome Database for Vaccinium and the Breeding Information Management System (BIMS)
- Manage mass communication to database users including newsletters and social media
- Help organize and participate in workshops at conferences
- Participate in preparation of scholarly publications
