PhD STUDENT – Drought tolerance mechanisms in peanut

Project: A PhD student position is available in Sanz’s Lab (http://cses.auburn.edu/alvaro-sanz-saez/) to participate in a USDA-NIFA funded project to understand drought tolerance mechanisms in Peanut. The objective of the project is to understand the physiological and molecular responses of water saver and water spender drought tolerance peanuts. In this project the Student will interact with researchers at Auburn University and USDA-ARS National Peanut lab in a multidisciplinary team that includes physiologist, breeders, genomicist and crop modelers. During the PhD period, the selected individual will perform experiments in rain-out shelter located at Auburn University and at the National Peanut Research Laboratory (USDA-ARS) at Dawson Georgia).

Location: Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.

Skill acquisition and responsibilities: The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary team of researchers investigating, whole-plant physiology, modeling, genetics, and genomics of plant adaptation to drought. The primary skills that the candidate will learn and his/her responsibilities will be to 1) examine photosynthetic traits, root imaging and phenotyping 2) extract and process samples for RNA sequencing and 3) assist in the development of plant models.

Qualifications: A recent Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Plant Biology, Plant genetics or related field. A Master Degree in Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Plant Biology, Plant genetics is desired. Demonstrated written and oral skills are preferred, and previous experience working in field settings is preferred.

For this position, the candidate needs to comply with the requirements to be accepted in the Graduate Student Program in the Department of Crop Soil and Environmental Sciences:

l GAP: 3.0 or above

l GRE: 290 or above

l English title requirements:

  u Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 550 pt in the paper version, 213 in the computer version, and 79 in the internet version.

  u International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5

Start Date: This position will be supported until the student finish her/his PhD degree (4 years). Annual salary: $20,000-25,000. This position is open until the position is filled, but the desired starting date is on May 2023 or before.

Application: Submit a single PDF file that includes 1) cover letter that provides information about research interest and experience; 2) Current CV; contact information of three references to Dr. Alvaro Sanz at sanz@auburn.edu.