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🚨 PhD Position in Plant Breeding & Genetics | Oklahoma State University
Institution: Oklahoma State University – Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Ferguson College of Agriculture
📍 Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA 🇺🇸
🎓 Position: PhD Student – Plant Breeding & Genetics
📅 Intake: Spring 2027
💰 Funding: Fully Funded
🔬 Research Area: Plant Breeding | Plant Genetics | Horticultural Crops | Ornamental & Nursery Crops | Crop Improvement | Stress Tolerance | Molecular Breeding | Plant Phenotyping
The Ornamental and Nursery Crop Plant Breeding Program at Oklahoma State University (OSU) is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to begin in Spring 2027.
The selected student will conduct research focused on the genetic improvement of ornamental and nursery crops using field phenotyping, germplasm characterization, controlled hybridization, mutagenesis, and molecular approaches.
🔬 What You’ll Work On
🌱 Plant Breeding & Genetic Improvement
Conduct research aimed at the genetic improvement of ornamental and nursery crops, with a focus on developing improved plant characteristics.
🌾 Multi-Location Field Phenotyping
Perform multi-location field phenotyping to evaluate plant performance and identify traits with potential breeding value.
🧬 Germplasm Characterization
Characterize and evaluate plant germplasm to understand genetic and phenotypic variation relevant to crop improvement.
🔬 Controlled Hybridization
Apply controlled hybridization and breeding approaches to develop and evaluate new plant materials.
🧪 Mutagenesis & Molecular Approaches
Use mutagenesis and molecular techniques to investigate and improve desirable plant traits.
🌿 Stress Tolerance & Ornamental Quality
Research traits related to stress tolerance, plant growth habit, and ornamental quality in nursery and ornamental crops.
🎯 Key Research Areas
The PhD research may involve:
- Genetic improvement of ornamental and nursery crops
- Plant breeding and genetics
- Multi-location field phenotyping
- Germplasm characterization
- Controlled hybridization
- Mutagenesis
- Molecular approaches
- Plant stress tolerance
- Plant growth habit
- Ornamental quality
- Plant physiology
- Experimental design
- Crop improvement
🎓 Ideal Candidate
Applicants should have:
- A Master’s degree in:
- Horticulture
- Plant Breeding
- Agronomy
- Plant Biology
- Genetics
- Or a closely related discipline
- A strong foundation in plant genetics, plant physiology, and experimental design.
- Experience in one or more of the following:
- Plant breeding
- Molecular tools
- Plant propagation
- Tissue culture
- Competence in data analysis or programming is preferred, particularly:
- R
- Python
- SAS
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to meet the Oklahoma State University Graduate College admission requirements.
- Strong motivation to pursue research in plant breeding and genetics.
🌟 What You’ll Gain
- Opportunity to pursue a fully funded PhD at Oklahoma State University.
- Research experience in ornamental and nursery crop improvement.
- Hands-on exposure to plant breeding and genetic improvement strategies.
- Experience with field phenotyping and germplasm characterization.
- Training in controlled hybridization, mutagenesis, and molecular approaches.
- Opportunity to work on research addressing stress tolerance and ornamental quality.
- Development of skills in plant genetics, physiology, experimental design, and data analysis.
- Opportunity to contribute to scientific publications and research projects.
🧪 Research Focus
The research program focuses on the genetic improvement of ornamental and nursery crops through an integrated combination of traditional and modern plant breeding approaches.
Research activities will include multi-location field phenotyping, germplasm characterization, controlled hybridization, mutagenesis, and molecular approaches.
The program particularly targets traits associated with:
- Stress tolerance
- Plant growth habit
- Ornamental quality
- Crop performance and improvement
👩🔬 Key Responsibilities
The successful PhD student will be expected to:
- Conduct research in plant breeding and genetics.
- Perform field-based phenotyping across multiple locations.
- Characterize and evaluate plant germplasm.
- Conduct controlled hybridization and breeding experiments.
- Apply molecular and mutagenesis approaches where appropriate.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data.
- Apply statistical or computational tools such as R, Python, or SAS.
- Communicate research findings through presentations and scientific publications.
- Contribute effectively to research activities within the Ornamental and Nursery Crop Plant Breeding Program.
📄 How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the eligibility criteria should submit their application materials by email to:
📩 Dr. Chi Nguyen: chi.l.nguyen@okstate.edu
📌 Email Subject: Spring 2027 Ph.D. Application
Applicants should submit:
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter describing:
- Research experience
- Future research interests
- Career goals
- Unofficial Academic Transcripts
- Up to three publications, thesis chapters, posters, or writing samples (optional)
Selected applicants will be contacted for a virtual interview.
📌 Job Details
Institution: Oklahoma State University
College: Ferguson College of Agriculture
Department: Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture
Program: Ornamental and Nursery Crop Plant Breeding Program
Position: PhD Student – Plant Breeding & Genetics
Intake: Spring 2027
Funding: Fully Funded
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
Research Areas: Plant Breeding | Plant Genetics | Horticulture | Agronomy | Plant Biology | Crop Improvement | Ornamental Crops | Nursery Crops
Research Techniques: Multi-Location Field Phenotyping | Germplasm Characterization | Controlled Hybridization | Mutagenesis | Molecular Approaches
Target Traits: Stress Tolerance | Plant Growth Habit | Ornamental Quality
Preferred Data Skills: R | Python | SAS
Minimum Degree: M.S. in Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Plant Biology, Genetics or closely related field
Application Mode: Email
Application Email: chi.l.nguyen@okstate.edu
Application Subject: Spring 2027 Ph.D. Application
Application Documents: CV | Cover Letter | Unofficial Transcripts | Optional Publications/Thesis Chapters/Posters/Writing Samples
Start Term: Spring 2027
Interview: Virtual interview for selected applicants
Category
PhD Position | Fully Funded PhD | Plant Breeding | Plant Genetics | Horticulture | Agronomy | Plant Biology | Ornamental Crops | Nursery Crops | Crop Improvement | Plant Phenotyping | Germplasm Characterization | Molecular Breeding | Stress Tolerance | Oklahoma State University | USA PhD Positions | Plant Science Research
🏷️ Tags
#PhDPosition #FullyFundedPhD #PlantBreeding #PlantGenetics #Horticulture #PlantBiology #Agronomy #CropImprovement #PlantScience #PlantPhenotyping #MolecularBreeding #OrnamentalCrops
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