The Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) is looking for a Postdoc Researcher.

CRAG is an independent research institution engaged in leading-edge basic and applied plant and farm animal sciences. CRAG is established as a Consortium of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and University of Barcelona (UB). The Center is located at the UAB Campus, and currently hosts 200 members from across the world.

Research Programs at CRAG (from basic science to applied research using plant experimental model systems, crops and farm animals) make extensive use of genomic technologies and large sets of genetic and genomic data (http://biannualreport2014-2015.cragenomica.es/).

Responsibilities

We are seeking for a results-oriented post-doctoral candidate to identify natural genetic sources of disease resistance in plants. The successful candidate will employ expertise in plant immunity, plant-pathogen interaction, genomics, bioinformatics and biological insight. The candidate is expected to work autonomously, as well as contribute as a member of multi-institutional multidisciplinary consortium and will report to PIs and project managers.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Produce short and long read sequencing data quality control reports;
• Produce high quality de novo assemblies using RenSeq/SMRT sequencing data;
• Produce high quality gene annotations integrating mapping and expression evidences;
• Identify disease resistance genes;
• Document bioinformatics workflows and maintain updated data repositories;
• Produce visual interpretations of genomic data;
• Interact with collaborators and assist in experimental design, wet-bench methodologies and provide data analysis solutions.

Additional required responsibilities:

• Work autonomously and overcome technical challenges;
• Integrate the latest literature findings to support and extend interpretations;
• Design follow-up experiments to confirm computational hypothesis;
• Provide technical support to the core Genomics Service;
• Work in a high-performance environment and interact with a multidisciplinary team.

The tasks are included within the framework at the project: “Multi-scale Genomic Interrogation of the Angiosperm Immune receptor Receptoire”.

Requirements

Educational Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Genetics, molecular biology or a related discipline with relevant research experience;
• 2-5 years of working experience in plant-pathogen interactions, plant immunity, genomics, RenSeq and SMRT sequencing technologies;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Required Skills:

• Hands-on experience generating TruSeq, Nextera and SMRT libraries;
• Hands-on experience implementing in-solution target enrichment procedures;
• Hands-on experience generating short and long read de novo assembly methods;
• Implementation and execution of disease resistance screens incorporating proper controls;
• Knowledge in de novo assembly, gene annotation, clustering methods and data visualization;
• Knowledge in Unix, genomics tools and statistical software;
• Strong organizational and record keeping skills;
• “Self-starter” and collaborative attitude

Contract duration: 1 year

Hours/week: Full time

Submission of application

Interested candidates, please submit (all the documents are mandatory for the application):

• Letter of motivation describing detailing experience.
• CV.
• At least 3 references (including email address and phone number)

CRAG is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission. All candidates will be considered qualified for the job without restrictions of gender, race, nationality or disability.

Deadline: 5th May 2017

Start date: 15th May 2017