Description
Research and analyze inheritance and expression of traits in plants at the molecular, organismal, and population levels. Apply genomics, bioinformatics, and breeding to understand variation, improve crop and native species traits, and support conservation and sustainable agriculture.
- • Write grants and scientific papers and engage with sponsors to secure funding for plant genetics research.
- • Verify that plant molecular, cytogenetic, sequencing, and phenotyping equipment are maintained and calibrated for accurate results.
- • Plan and manage germplasm and seed bank curation, including acquisition, characterization, regeneration, and distribution.
- • Develop and support conservation genetics strategies for rare or endangered plant species, including seed banking and restoration breeding.
- • Maintain laboratory, greenhouse, and field safety programs and train personnel in biosafety and best practices.
- • Instruct undergraduate and graduate students, technicians, and breeders in plant genetics methods and data analysis.
- • Identify genetic bases of plant traits and diseases and recommend breeding or management strategies to improve resistance and performance.
- • Design, implement, and maintain databases and LIMS for plant genotypes, phenotypes, and metadata.
- • Collaborate with IT and bioinformatics specialists to develop pipelines and applications for plant genomic data analysis.
- • Collaborate with plant breeders, agronomists, pathologists, and ecologists to plan and execute genetic and biochemical analyses.
- • Attend plant science conferences and monitor literature to remain current on genomic tools and plant genetics findings.
- • Supervise and mentor research staff and students working on plant genetics projects.
- • Review, quality-control, and interpret genotyping, sequencing, and phenotyping results.
- • Survey literature to select, adapt, or optimize protocols appropriate for plant systems and project goals.
- • Prepare and deliver presentations and manuscripts reporting research findings to scientific and stakeholder audiences.
- • Maintain detailed laboratory and field notebooks documenting methods, protocols, and results.
- • Extract DNA/RNA from plant tissues and perform assays such as PCR, qPCR, gel electrophoresis, library prep, and hybridization.
- • Analyze genetic and phenotypic data using appropriate statistical methods, QTL mapping, GWAS, and genomic selection models.
- • Develop or refine protocols for plant transformation, tissue culture, marker assays, and high-throughput phenotyping.
- • Design sampling plans and coordinate field or greenhouse collection of leaves, seeds, pollen, and voucher specimens.
- • Build and apply statistical and computational models for population genetics, linkage mapping, and trait prediction.
- • Conduct pedigree, mapping population, and population structure studies to elucidate inheritance of key plant traits.
- • Lead basic and applied research on gene expression regulation, protein interactions, metabolic pathways, and stress responses in plants.
- • Devise breeding, marker-assisted selection, or gene-editing strategies to modify traits and develop improved plant varieties.
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Agriculture
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
