The University of Connecticut seeks applications for a part time (83%) Research Associate II. This position is in the lab of Professor Charles Yarish within the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and is part of a large ARPA-E grant to develop open-ocean grown sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima).
Saccharina latissima is a cosmopolitan large multicellular brown alga or kelp. It is phylogenetically distant from both plants and animals, having diverged from green algae early in the evolution of eukaryotes. The project will explore the population structure of New England sugar kelp, its genome and take advantage of its biphasic life cycle to select for desirable traits by Mendelian genetic techniques as well as using innovative genomic selection methodologies. The Research Associate will collaborate with scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Northeast Fisheries Science Aquaculture Labs, National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA), Cornell University’s Plant Breeding Labs, Incheon National University, University of Alaska and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. This position will be responsible for the kelp breeding program in association with PI and a post-doctoral associate, and will communicate and write reports. This position will oversee the isolation and maintenance of the kelp cultures at UConn from populations throughout New England; and work with colleagues at Cornell University in the implementation and design of the breeding program at two farm sites in southern New England. Additional duties include collecting breeding data, running ecophysiological and genetic analyses, maintaining the kelp cultures in the laboratory with post-doctoral associate, working with Cornell scientists to identify a reference population, and estimating important population genetic parameters of the New England sugar kelp. Anticipated Division of Time: Isolation and maintenance of kelp cultures for experimental and breeding program design and data analysis: 60% Communication and coordination with collaborators: 20% Preparation of quarterly reports to ARPA-E: 10% Training of lab members and collaborators in kelp algal cultivation, ecophysiology and population genetics: 10% Minimum Qualifications: 1. An earned Ph.D. in Botany, Biology, or a closely related field. 2. Expertise in marine phycology with experience or interest in the isolation, cultivation, and ecophysiology of macroalgae, especially kelp. 3. 3-5 years postdoctoral experience. Preferred Qualifications: 1. Proven scientific writing ability and communication skills. Appointment Terms: This is a part time (83%), annually renewable position with an expected duration of three years contingent upon funding and performance. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2018
