N Efficiency Genomic Informatics Post-Doctoral Associate

Postdoctoral Associate, Buckler/Romay Lab

Cornell Institute of Biotechnology

Cornell Research and Innovation

The Buckler/Romay Lab, in partnership with Cornell's Institute for Genomic Diversity, employs functional genomics to dissect complex traits in grasses, cassava, and diverse crops. We leverage natural genomic diversity to pinpoint DNA and protein variants underlying quantitative traits, while integrating cutting-edge technologies to measure and interpret this diversity. Our research spans comparative genomics, chromatin architecture, gene expression, protein abundance, and metabolite profiling--combined with computational biology, machine learning, and advanced statistical methods.

Supported by the ARPA-E TEOSYNTE and CERCA projects, this position is part of a national effort to improve nitrogen use efficiency on farms by modifying genetic pathways that control root-soil-microbe interactions. The successful candidate will apply environmental association mapping and expression profiling across grasses and maize landraces to identify key genes and regulatory networks. These insights will then be integrated with genomic large language models to design optimized regulatory patterns for modern maize, which will be validated in collaboration with a nationwide team. Modeling indicates potential for more than a 50% improvement in agronomic nitrogen efficiency--translating into significant fertilizer savings and reductions in water and air pollution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct comparative genomics and environmental GWAS across grasses, maize landraces, and sorghum landraces to identify functional variation in candidate proteins and regulatory sequences associated with traits such as root architecture and soil characteristics.
• Nominate and help evaluate promoter regions and candidate genes to enhance nitrogen use efficiency.
• Apply machine learning models to classify molecular variants as functional and assess their impact on gene expression.
• Contribute to large-scale modeling of engineered traits to predict performance and optimize design.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in the field of genomics, evolution, population genetics, computational biology, biological informatics, quantitative genetics, or related fields.
• Strong background in plant genomics, quantitative genetics, and bioinformatics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with genomic large-language models, plant transgenic design and evaluation, and nitrogen metabolism pathways.

The initial appointment is a 1-year term renewable contingent upon continued funding and successful performance.

This position will be based in Ithaca, New York.

The anticipated hiring salary for this position is $62,232.

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter

Pay Range:

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.

• Academic Discipline

• Unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance:

Notice to Applicants:

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