Research Assistant Professor

Job description / Role

Research Assistant Professor - Researcher/Scientist in Plant Breeding and Genetics

The KCGEB is seeking a Researcher/scientist in Plant Breeding and Genetics.
- Identification of specific needs and development of breeding strategies that would benefit improvement of the crops-of-interest (annuals and perennials) of the region.
- Design breeding programs to target genetic factors/regions governing the agronomic traits, genetic analysis of the identified traits and their exploration for the improvement of priority crops of the region.
- Designing, management and execution of multiple breeding projects involving laboratory, greenhouse, and field breeding programs.
- Develop proprietary breeding lines and hybrids of the crops-of-interest (annuals and perennials) of the region utilizing traditional and molecular methodologies.

Requirements

Minimum Qualification
A doctoral degree in related research field

Preferred Qualification
The candidate should possess a doctoral degree in related research field with at least 3 years of postdoctoral experience and a minimum of 3 first-authored and/or corresponding authored papers in peer-reviewed journals of impact factor > 2 in the last 5 years. Strong background in molecular breeding, plant physiology, plant genetics and plant molecular biology is required. Candidate should have ability to think strategically, develop and independently carry out their research projects to deliver patentable and publishable scientific outcomes. Candidate is expected to undertake major research projects, publish research and review articles in academic journals, prepare patents if applicable, write proposals to obtain funding for future research projects, and to provide academic leadership to students and trainees.

Expected Skills/Rank/Experience
- Experience in conducting and managing productive plant breeding experiments on diverse crops (annual and perennial crops of the arid region) in greenhouse and field conditions.
- Experience in inbreeding, crossbreeding, outcrossing, mutation breeding, interspecific hybridization and selection.
- Highly proficient in data management, analysis (hands-on phenotypic and genetic analysis), and interpretation of scientific data sets of the breeding experiments using relevant tools/programs.
- Demonstrated excellence in marker-assisted plant breeding, application of genomics and molecular biology, QTL mapping, whole-genome prediction methodologies and bioinformatics. Experiences in SNP analysis, GWAS analysis and transcriptomic research will be preferable.

About the Company

Founded in 1976 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAEU is a comprehensive, research-intensive university enrolling about 14,000 Emirati and international students. As the UAE’s flagship university, UAEU offers a full range of accredited, high-quality graduate and undergraduate programs through nine Colleges: Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Food and Agriculture; Humanities and Social Sciences; IT; Law; Medicine and Health Sciences; and Science. With a distinguished international faculty, state-of-the art new campus, and full range of student support services, UAEU offers a living-learning environment that is unmatched in the UAE.

As a research-intensive university of international stature, UAEU works with its partners in industry to provide research solutions to challenges faced by the nation, the region, and the world. The University has established research centers of strategic importance to the country and the region which are advancing knowledge in critical areas ranging from water resources to cancer treatments. UAEU is currently ranked the number one research university in the GCC, number two in the Arab World, and #370 globally.

UAEU’s academic programs have been developed in partnership with employers, so our graduates are in high demand. UAEU alumni hold key positions in industry, commerce, and government throughout the region. Our continuing investments in facilities, services, and staff ensure that UAEU will continue to serve as a model of innovation and excellence.