The Tomato Genetics and Breeding Program at Penn State is hiring a Postdoctoral Scholar to serve as the lead researcher advancing breeding objectives for disease resistance and fruit-quality traits. This is a one-year appointment starting September 1, 2025, with the possibility of extension.
What You'll Do
- Serve as the lead researcher advancing tomato breeding objectives, including disease resistance and improved fruit-quality traits.
- Oversee laboratory operations by managing equipment and supplies, administering the lab budget, and recruiting and supervising technical staff.
- Design and execute experiments to evaluate experimental F1 hybrids in multi-location field and protected-environment trials across Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
- Drive commercialization of Penn-State-developed tomato cultivars.
- Advance elite tomato breeding lines through iterative selection and pollination using plant breeding protocols.
- Conduct extensive research on tomato bacterial canker, including controlled disease screening, phenotyping, and genomic data analysis.
- Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- Develop resistant breeding lines and experimental F1 hybrids for commercialization.
- Quantify fruit quality parameters using biochemical and colorimetric assays.
- Travel regionally to evaluate trial sites for approximately 25% of your time.
- Manage collaborations with public and private industry stakeholders.
- Communicate findings at field days, extension events, and conferences.
What We're Looking For
- Ph.D. in Horticulture or Plant Science with a major focus on Plant Breeding/Genetics and Plant Pathology.
- Demonstrated experience in tomato genetics and breeding, including field operations, protected cultivation, and familiarity with tomato diseases.
- Background knowledge and experience with tomato bacterial diseases, particularly bacterial canker, including pathogen inoculation and disease screening.
- Proficiency in laboratory techniques: aseptic methods, microbial culture, DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and molecular marker development.
- Background knowledge and practical experience in genetic mapping and QTL analysis techniques.
- Background knowledge and demonstrated experience in statistical analyses, including ANOVA, multivariate analyses, PCA, and genotype x environment interaction analyses.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting at conferences.
- Demonstrated success in grant proposal writing.
- Willingness to travel regionally and collaborate directly with tomato growers and researchers.
- Demonstrated experience in recruiting, training, and managing new employees.
- A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check.
Technical Stack
- spectrophotometer
- refractometer
- HPLC
- PCR
- gel electrophoresis
Team & Environment
You will work under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI).
Benefits & Compensation
- Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
Work Mode
This is an onsite position requiring travel to research sites in Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness and a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives. Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
