种田农民

Unfortunately our favoured candidate for this
studentship recently backed out. We are now looking for someone
with a first degree in plant genomics, bioinformatics or a related
field and with experience in bioinformatics and genetics, and an
interest in plant pathology. Please can you pass this advertisement
on to qualified candidates who may be interested?

BIOINFORMATICS PhD Studentship

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement
Center (CIMMYT) and Washington State University, is seeking an
innovative, self-motivated, scientifically outstanding candidate
for a PhD studentship to participate in a project to characterize
genetic variation for breeding durable resistance to rusts in
wheat. Leaf rust and stripe rust are globally important foliar
fungal diseases of wheat, while stem rust is again becoming a
global threat after half of a century of durable resistance (Global
Rust Initiative, http://www.globalrust.org/). Enhanced
durable resistance to these fungal pathogens is a high priority in
the adaptation of high yielding improved wheat cultivars for
different agroclimatic regions. Breeding resistance to both leaf
and stem rust in wheat cultivars has traditionally focused on the
pyramiding of race-specific resistance genes. However, this
approach is short lived, with new virulent races of the pathogen
evolving that overcome the resistance. Rapidly and efficiently
identifying and deploying new and diverse sources of resistance
will require an aggressive, holistic approach that combines
traditional techniques with novel approaches for breeding
strategies that hinder pathogen evolution to create sustainable
global solutions to rusts. Modern bioinformatics will be at the
heart of this approach, critically integrating, bridging and
iterating between disciplines that have hitherto failed to work
together effectively. The project will utilize data from gene
expression studies to discover genes involved in durable resistance
to rusts:

 ” Analyze differential gene
expression data in different types of interactions between wheat
and wheat rusts, including susceptible, partially resistant and
resistant interactions.

” Utilize wheat expression arrays to examine the
genes and mechanisms involved in the ultimate durable resistance,
non-host resistance by studying differential gene expression in
wheat cultivars challenged with host and non-host pathogens. From
these candidate genes the student will use a number of
bioinformatics techniques to determine level of confidence that a
gene is involved in the resistance mechanism. The student will be
registered at the Department of Plant Pathology, Pullman Campus,
Washington State University and will be based part-time at WSU and
part time in the Crop Research Informatics Laboratory at CIMMYT’s
Main Campus located 45 km northeast of Mexico City, Mexico.

We are seeking candidates with the following
qualifications:

9 Degree in plant genomics, bioinformatics or a
related field.

9 Background in bioinformatics and genetics

9 Experience with biometrics and statistics

9 Interest in international agricultural research
and development

9 Ability to work well as part of multidisciplinary
decentralized teams

9 Proficiency in spoken and written English
language

Experience in any of the following areas would
be considered an asset:

9 Statistical analysis using R

9 Software development in Java

9 Relational database design and administration

9 Knowledge of molecular plant-microbe
interactions

9 Proficiency in Spanish

CIMMYT (www.cimmyt.cgiar.org) is an internationally
funded, non-profit research and training organization affiliated
with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR, www.cgiar.org) and has an annual budget of over US$40
million. CIMMYT’s mission is to help the poor in the developing
world by increasing the productivity, profitability, and
sustainability of maize- and wheat-based cropping systems while
protecting natural resources. The Center is a global leader in
scientific research and training related to maize and wheat
improvement, and in biotechnology, economics, and natural resource
management research. These activities are conducted in partnership
with national agricultural research systems, non-governmental
organizations, and advanced research institutions, both public and
private, in globally- and regionally-focused programs. CIMMYT
employs a staff of over 600 and operates in a decentralized,
partnership mode, having staff in 14 countries in Africa, Asia and
Latin America, plus projects and partnership networks in many more.
Please send via e-mail your letter of application, CV/Resume
(including full contact information), and names and contact
information of three references to:

Dr. Petr Kosina CIMMYT, Apdo. Postal 6-641,
México, D.F. 06600, MEXICO Phone: +52 (55) 5804 2004, Email:
p.kosina@cgiar.org

We will accept applications until the studentship
is filled

For further information contact Dr Guy Davenport,
Computational Biologist, CRIL, CIMMYT.
g.davenport@cgiar.orgProfessor Scot Hulbert, Department of
Plant Pathology, WSU. scot_hulbert@wsu.edu