Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

Position Summary

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Scholar position focused on soybean genetics, seed composition, functional genomics, and breeding. The position is ideal for candidates interested in cross-disciplinary research that combines molecular biology, crop science, genetics, genomics, and data analysis for biological discovery and crop genetic improvement. The successful candidate will contribute to research involving soybean gene knockout/KO lines, seed composition traits, and breeding-related trait development. Experience in soybean research, seed biology, functional genomics, field experimentation, and crop improvement is strongly desired. Additional experience in molecular biology, quantitative genetics, genomics, molecular evolution, legume species, seed biology, primary metabolism, technology development, transgenic biology, genome editing, AI, and large-scale data analysis is desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct soybean research involving gene knockout/KO lines, mutant populations, and trait validation.
• Evaluate soybean seed composition traits, including protein, oil, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and other quality-related components.
• Design and manage greenhouse, growth chamber, and field experiments.
• Support soybean breeding activities, including population development, selection, phenotyping, and trait introgression.
• Analyze genetic, phenotypic, and seed composition data using appropriate statistical and bioinformatics tools.
• Coordinate sample collection, seed processing, field notes, and laboratory workflows.
• Prepare manuscripts, technical reports, grant materials, and presentations.
• Supervise or train graduate students, technicians, student workers, and visiting scholars as needed.
• Collaborate with faculty, breeders, molecular biologists, crop scientists, and external partners.

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, Plant Genetics, Crop Science, Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Agronomy, or a closely related field

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, Crop Science, Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Agronomy, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated research experience in soybean.
• Experience working with gene knockout/KO lines, mutant lines, genome editing materials, or functional genomics resources.
• Experience with soybean seed composition analysis and interpretation of seed quality data.
• Knowledge of soybean breeding methods, field trial design, selection, phenotyping, and germplasm evaluation.
• Strong skills in experimental design, data management, and statistical analysis.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Desired Qualifications

• Significant post-Ph.D. research experience in soybean genetics, seed composition, functional genomics, and/or breeding.
• Experience with soybean protein, oil, fatty acid, carbohydrate, amino acid, or metabolite analysis
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas, transgenic materials, or other functional genomics platforms.
• Strong publication record in plant genetics, crop science, seed biology, or soybean improvement.
• Experience supervising research staff, students, or collaborative research teams.
• Experience preparing manuscripts, grant proposals, technical reports, and research presentations

Required Application Materials

Resume/CV

Cover Letter 

Special Instructions

Inquiries regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Dechun Wang (wangdech@msu.edu)

Review of Applications Begins On

09/02/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/

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.