Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and Genetics program/
USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, N.C. 27695-7609
Salary and Benefits: Salary Minimum $40,500/ year. Postdoctoral health insurance and retirement benefits are provided and described at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-10-10-08.
Date Position Opens: Immediately. This is a full-time position for one year with renewal for an additional 1.5 years, contingent upon funding and satisfactory performance.
Deadline for Applications: January 30, 2012, or until a suitable candidate is identified.
Qualifications: Ph.D. required with an emphasis on analytical plant biochemistry, food chemistry and food processing, and plant breeding or a related discipline.
Major Responsibilities: The Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and Genetics Program and the USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit at NC State University are seeking a postdoctoral scientist to assist with the coordination of a USDA SCRI project focused on the development of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) methods to quantify acrylamides and their precursor molecules in raw and processed potato and sweetpotato products.
We are seeking applicants with exceptional skills in high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), mass spectroscopy (MS), HPLC-MS, GC-MS, NIRS and multivariate statistical analysis for this project. The candidate selected for this position will report to Dr. Craig Yencho, lead project investigator, and collaborate closely with Dr. Den Truong, leader of the USDA-ARS Food Science Research Unit in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at NC State.
You will be expected work as a member of a research team and to assist with the coordination of all project activities. We are seeking a highly motivated, organized, creative, and independent person who is a good communicator and capable of coordinating a large multidisciplinary project. This project is part of a larger effort encompassing multiple organizations and universities. Our team consists of scientists and technicians working in breeding and molecular genetics, food science, crop cultural management, plant pathology, postharvest physiology, agricultural engineering and
marketing. The overall goal of this project is to develop low cost, high throughput NIRS-based analytical methods to quantify compounds leading to the formation of acrylamindes in potato and sweetpotato. These protocols will be employed by the breeding program to develop improved varieties that result in lower acrylamide levels during processing.
Other Work/Responsibilities: Specific activities will include, but are not limited to, coordinating and conducting NIRS activities, analyzing sugars, amino acids and acrylamides, collecting analyzing and presenting data, completing reports and preparing grant proposals, and presenting and publishing results in peer reviewed and trade journals. Occasional travel to project and scientific meetings will be required.
Applications: Apply online at https://jobs.ncsu.edu. See position number 00065250. Applicants should also include a cover letter detailing your experiences and qualifications relating to this position; a short statement of your future career goals, resume and names and contact information of three references.
For more information contact Dr. Craig Yencho, Email: craig_yencho@ncsu.edu, Phone (919) 513-7417; or Dr. Den Truong, Email: den.truong@ars.usda.gov, Phone (919) 513-7781.
Work Location: The work base is located on-campus, Monday-Friday, 40 hours a week. Necessary Licenses or Certifications: Driver license needed. No special licenses or certifications needed.
AA/EEO In addition, NC State welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation. Final candidates for employment are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. A previous criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for employment. However, failure to provide complete & accurate information will be considered "falsification" and applicants will be removed from consideration.