Applications are invited for a 30 months post of a Bioinformatics and Transcriptomics Scientist within UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science Because of the importance of wheat and the drive to produce wheat more sustainably, a huge effort is being made by researchers and industry to better understand wheat genetics. This knowledge will enhance breeding efforts aimed at producing new more resilient varieties adapted to climatic conditions, resistant to diseases, and efficient in their nutrient use. The scientist will join the EU project INNOVAR, which aims to develop novel tools for the assessment of wheat variety performance under reduced input regimes. This project integrates genomics, phenomics and transcriptomics into DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, Stability) and VCU (Value for Cultivation and USE) testing in order to enhance the ability to select wheat varieties adapted to EU conditions. The research scientist will integrate transcriptomics and environmental data for wheat and wheat diseases, conducting associative transcriptomics to identify economically important genes involved in the resistance of wheat to Septoria tritici blotch disease. They will also contribute to genome-wide association studies for Septoria tritici blotch and Fusarium head blight disease resistance in wheat (assisting collaborators in Spain and the UK). Responsibilities: This is a post for a scientist with expertise in wheat bioinformatics and genomics. Note there is also a dedicated research assistant to help with disease phenotyping and RNA extraction work and expertise in disease screening is not essential. The Scientist will initially focus on the analysis of associative transcriptomics data and also assist with genome-wide association studies. Key activitites include:

• Phenotypic analysis of wheat varieties for Septoria tritici blotch (STB) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) susceptibility.
• Association transcriptomic analysis for Septoria tritici blotch disease.
• Assisting with genome-wide association analysis for Septoria tritici blotch and and Fusarium head blight resistance.

The scientist will be based at UCD Dublin within the Doohan Crops Lab. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion UCD is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and everyone is afforded equality of opportunity. To that end the university adheres to a range of equality, diversity and inclusion policies. We encourage applicants to consult those policies here https://www.ucd.ie/equality/. We welcome applications from everyone, including those who identify with any of the protected characteristics that are set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy. Fixed Salary: €44,000 per annum Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 13 May 2021 Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications. Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/ UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.