A Backcross nested association mapping (BCNAM) design has
been implemented as a joint project associating the sorghum breeding programs
of Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) and ICIRISAT in Mali. This multi-parental
design combines high-resolution population development for genetic analysis of
complex traits, genetic basis enlargement and direct breeding application
thanks to the use of advanced-backcross populations with adapted elite
recurrent parent (RP).
This complex multi-parental crossing scheme involved 3
elite varieties obtained from participatory breeding in Mali (Lata, Grinkan and
Keninkeni) as recurrent parents and 29 donor parents either specific or common
to one or several of the RPs. A total of 50 BC1F3 populations of 70 to 200
families were obtained representing a total of approximately 6300 individuals.
These populations are being evaluated in multi-year and multi-site trials
initiated in 2012 and continued in 2013 and 2014, as BC1F4-lines. The genetic
diversity and polymorphisms of recurrent and donor parents assessed with the ca.
1400 SNPs, available through the IBP, provides a medium density genotyping
framework for the analysis of the populations. Phenotyping in multi-location,
various sowing dates, and high and low P environments of 33 populations in 2012
showed a wide range of agronomic and phenologic variation within and across
populations.
ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that
conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square
kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi-arid tropics is home to over 2
billion people, with 650 million of these being the poorest of the poor.
ICRISAT and its partners help empower those living in the semi-arid tropics,
especially smallholder farmers, to overcome poverty, hunger, malnutrition and a
degraded environment through more efficient and profitable agriculture.
ICRISAT, established in 1972, and is a member of the CGIAR Consortium. For more
details, see www.icrisat.org.
The Job:
- Coordinate genotypic data collection from 50 BCNAM populations of sorghum
- Segregation analysis and genetic mapping of SNP markers in 50 BCNAM populations of sorghum
- Analysis of MET phenotyping data from field trials in Mali collected on BCNAM populations in 2012 and 2013.
- Multi-parental QTL analysis for key traits collected on BCNAM populations, focusing on adaptation to abiotic constraints.
The Person:
- Phd Degree in Genetics and plant breeding
- Experience with marker – trait association analyses
- Experience with analysis of complex phenotyping datasets would be an advantage
- Experience with genetics and plant breeding
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French.
The Reward:
The Fellowship is for a period of 12 months and extendable based on funding availability. An attractive compensation in US Dollars will be offered to the right candidate. The Post-Doc Fellow will be based at CIRAD in Montpellier, France, and frequent travel to Bamako Mali, for interactions with sorghum breeders in IER and ICRISAT.
How to Apply:
Applicants should apply on or before 31 December 2013 by email to: ICRISATjobs@cgiar.org, with a letter of motivation, latest Curriculum Vitae, and names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience. The reference name of the position (PDF-BCNAM-1) should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the email. Screening of applications will begin from 1 January 2014, and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged, however only short listed candidates will be contacted.
ICRISAT is an equal opportunity employer and is
especially interested in increasing the participation of women on its staff. ICRISAT
has a flexible approach to international appointments and welcomes dual-career
couples.
