Position Summary
The Wang Laboratory at Michigan State University is seeking a highly motivated and technically accomplished Postdoctoral Scholar to drive cutting-edge research in soybean genetics and breeding. The successful candidate will apply multi-faceted approaches, causal variant discovery, and molecular breeding tools to advance understanding of host plant resistance in soybean towards white mold resistance and play significant role in soybean breeding program. This is a full-time position embedded in one of the nation's premier soybean genetics programs, offering opportunities for collaborative research, grant co-development, and scientific leadership.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
White Mold Resistance Genetics & Genomics
- Design and execute large-scale genetic and genomic studies to identify loci associated with white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) resistance in soybean using genome-wide association studies (GWAS), quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, linkage analysis, and genomic prediction approaches.
- Evaluate diverse soybean germplasm, breeding populations, and advanced breeding lines under greenhouse and field conditions to identify novel sources of white mold resistance.
- Characterize candidate genes, structural genomic variants, and genomic regions contributing to physiological and genetic resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
- Integrate phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental data to elucidate the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms underlying white mold resistance.
- Conduct population genetics and diversity analyses to identify favorable alleles and breeding signatures for disease resistance across diverse soybean germplasm.
- Identify promising resistant soybean lines for release or use as parents for future crosses
Soybean Breeding Program Support (Field & Greenhouse)
- Actively contribute to the Michigan State University Soybean Breeding and Genetics Program by supporting year-round field, greenhouse, and laboratory breeding operations.
- Assist with the development, advancement, and evaluation of breeding populations for disease resistance, seed quality, yield, agronomic performance, and abiotic stress tolerance.
- Coordinate and conduct hybridization, population development, seed increase, generation advancement, and selection of breeding lines in greenhouse and field environments.
- Plan and execute field trials, disease nurseries, greenhouse experiments, nursery establishment, plot maintenance, phenotypic evaluations, and harvest operations across multiple research locations.
- Collect, curate, and manage high-quality phenotypic and genotypic datasets to support breeding decisions, cultivar development, and genomic analyses.
- Collaborate with breeders, technicians, graduate students, and research associates to ensure the efficient execution of breeding, greenhouse, laboratory, and field research activities.
Disease Phenotyping & Molecular Breeding
- Develop, optimize, and implement reliable greenhouse and field phenotyping protocols for screening soybean germplasm against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.
- Develop and validate molecular markers associated with white mold resistance for marker-assisted selection and genomic-assisted breeding.
- Collaborate with soybean breeders to integrate genomic information and molecular markers into breeding pipelines for the development of improved cultivars.
- Support the advancement of elite breeding lines possessing enhanced white mold resistance while maintaining superior yield, seed quality, and agronomic performance.
Research Collaboration, Scientific Communication & Funding
- Publish high-impact research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international scientific conferences.
- Prepare and contribute to competitive grant proposals, concept notes, letters of support, and funding applications for federal agencies, commodity organizations, industry partners, and other extramural funding programs.
- Prepare annual and final technical progress reports, research summaries, and project deliverables for funding agencies, commodity boards, and collaborating organizations, ensuring timely reporting of project milestones, research outcomes, and project impacts.
- Assist in project planning, budgeting, timeline development, and research coordination to support the successful implementation of externally funded research programs.
- Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in disease phenotyping, molecular breeding, genomics, quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, and data analysis.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including plant breeders, plant pathologists, molecular geneticists, bioinformaticians, statisticians, commodity organizations, industry partners, and federal agencies to accelerate the development and deployment of improved soybean cultivars with enhanced white mold resistance, seed quality, and agronomic performance.
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.
A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.
The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Plant Breeding and Genetics, Plant Pathology, or a closely related discipline.
Minimum Requirements
- Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics, Plant Pathology, or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated research experience in soybean genetics, genomics, molecular breeding, plant pathology, or quantitative genetics.
- Experience conducting genome-wide association studies (GWAS), quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, linkage analysis, genomic prediction, and/or population genetics analyses in crop plants.
- Experience evaluating soybean germplasm and breeding populations under greenhouse and field conditions for disease resistance and agronomic traits.
- At least two years of experience in working with white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) of soybeans.
- Demonstrated experience in molecular marker development, marker-assisted selection, and integration of genomic tools into plant breeding programs.
- Experience managing, integrating, and analyzing large-scale phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental datasets.
- Strong record of publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of scientific manuscripts, grant proposals, technical reports, and conference presentations.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary research teams while mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
Desired Qualifications
- Postdoctoral or professional research experience in soybean breeding, disease resistance genetics, or applied crop improvement.
- Knowledge of public soybean breeding programs and cultivar development pipelines.
- Experience conducting greenhouse inoculation assays, disease nurseries, and multi-location field evaluations.
- Experience implementing genomic selection, marker-assisted breeding, or genomic-assisted breeding strategies.
- Familiarity with soybean germplasm, elite breeding lines, and North American soybean industry.
- Experience preparing competitive grant proposals, annual progress reports, and project deliverables for federal agencies, commodity organizations, or industry partners.
- Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams including soybean breeders, plant pathologists, molecular geneticists, bioinformaticians, and statisticians.
- Prior experience collaborating with public breeding programs, USDA-ARS, commodity boards (e.g., Michigan Soybean Committee or United Soybean Board), or other agricultural research organizations.
- Experience presenting research at national and international scientific meetings and mentoring students or research
- personnel.
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
Plant Breeding & Genetics
- Soybean breeding and cultivar development
- White mold resistance breeding
- Germplasm evaluation and characterization
- GWAS, QTL mapping, and linkage analysis
- Population genetics and diversity analysis
- Genomic prediction and quantitative genetics
- Molecular marker development and marker-assisted selection
- Greenhouse and field operations for soybean cultivation and research
Disease Phenotyping & Field Research
- Greenhouse disease screening
- White mold inoculation techniques
- Disease nursery management
- Multi-location field trials
- Phenotypic data collection and quality assurance
- Breeding population development and advancement
- Hybridization, seed increase, and generation advancement
Scientific Leadership & Collaboration
- Technical progress reporting
- Scientific writing and publication
- Project planning and research coordination
- Student mentoring and training
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Scientific presentations and stakeholder engagement
Required Application Materials
Curriculum vitae including full publication list and patent applications
Cover letter addressed to Dr. Dechun Wang describing your research background, specific interest in this position, and career goals
Contact information for three (3) professional references
Special Instructions
Inquiries regarding position should be directed to Dr. Dechun Wang (wangdech@msu.edu)
Review of Applications Begins On
09/18/2026
Website
https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/
Department Statement
ABOUT THE WANG LABORATORY
The Wang Laboratory is a leading soybean genetics and genomics research program within the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University. The lab focuses on three interconnected research themes:
- Soybean molecular genetics and genomics, with emphasis on seed chemical composition (protein, oil, fatty acids) and yield improvement
- Host plant resistance to pathogens including Phytophthora sojae, P. sansomeana, sudden death syndrome, and white mold other economically important soybean diseases
- Applications of advanced molecular and genomic tools — including epigenomics, association mapping, and marker-assisted breeding — to accelerate variety development for Michigan and the broader Midwest
The lab is embedded within MSU's Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology program and maintains active collaborations with USDA-ARS, academic partners across the US and internationally, and the broader soybean genomics community. The Wang Lab actively participates in the Soybean Genomics Research Community and contributes to strategic research planning at the national level.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
