1. Genetic Analysis of Switchgrass, a Bioenergy Crop

A 3-year postdoctoral position is available to work on a DOE-funded project to enhance our understanding of the genetics of switchgrass, Panicum virgatum. Switchgrass is a grass native to the USA and has many characteristics which make it suitable for development as a bioenergy crop. It is currently bred and grown for forage. Nevertheless, very little is known about the genetics of switchgrass. Switchgrass is predominantly tetraploid or octoploid, depending on the ecotype, and is an outcrossing species. The project will involve marker development, genetic mapping, linkage disequilibrium studies, and diversity and association analyses, and is part of a larger initiative that focuses on enhancing the bioconversion potential of switchgrass.

2. Genetic Analysis of Foxtail Millet, a Model for Switchgrass

A 3-year postdoctoral position is available to work on a USDA/DOE-funded project to develop foxtail millet as a model for switchgrass. Switchgrass is being developed as a bioenergy crop, but its polyploid and largely self-incompatible nature will complicate genetic analyses. Foxtail millet, Setaria italica, a food crop grown mainly in Asia, is a close relative of switchgrass and has the advantages, at least from a genetic point of view, of being diploid and having a small and stable genome. The foxtail millet genome will be sequenced by the DOE-Joint Genome Initiative and a 4X sequence is expected to be available by Spring 2009. A mapping population is being developed between Yugu1, the foxtail millet variety selected for sequencing, and a S. viridis accession. S. viridis is the presumed progenitor of foxtail millet. The project will involve sequencing of S. viridis using next-generation sequencing technology, comparative analysis of the S. italica and S. viridis sequence to identify SNP markers, construction of a genetic map and anchoring of the sequence to the genetic map.

Individuals interested in the position should send a Curriculum Vitae, including the names and contact information for at least three people who can provide recommendations, to:

Katrien M. Devos,
Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences and Dept. of Plant Biology,
3111 Miller Plant Sciences,
University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
( kdevos@uga.edu).

The preferred start date for the position is February 1st 2009.
Salary will be commensurate with appropriate experience.
Review of applications will start on December 22nd and continue until a suitable applicant has been found.