Mylnefield Trust Scholars From Research to Breeding – translating potato genetics into molecular markers

Dundee - UK

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Potato genetics unlike the genetics of other major crops has experienced limited progress due to the complexity of its tetrasomic inheritance. However the potato genetics group (Hein Chen and Adams) has made significant strides in this field. Their work has successfully developed molecular markers for disease resistances which have been validated by JHL (Vanessa Young and Drummond Todd) and are now routinely offered to commercial companies. This advancement has substantially accelerated the selection of new potato varieties.

The collaboration between JHI and JHL marks a pivotal shift from traditional approaches fostering mutual benefits. Research innovations such as targeted enrichment sequencing and haplotype-based insights derived from RenSeq GenSeq and BrenSeq are validated within real-world breeding scenarios. This integration informs parental selection and progeny prioritisation streamlining the breeding process at JHL. Recently the genetics team has demonstrated in proof-of-concept studies that haplotype-based information can be translated into highly robust markers including KASPs showcasing the potential for further breakthroughs. This project has been jointly developed by JHI and JHL

Aims and Objectives

This proposal seeks to build on the successes of the potato genetics group and JHL and further strengthen the interface between research and breeding. Specifically we aim to develop a bespoke marker platform to serve both research and breeding needs. This initiative is critical for maintaining the competitive edge gained in recent years and aligns with the industrys trajectory toward large-scale marker-based selection at the seedling stage.

This 4 year studentship opportunity is open to UK students and provides funding to cover stipend UK tuition fees and consumable/travel costs.

Students must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the UKRI guidance on UK and international candidates. Applicants will have a first-class honours degree in a relevant subject or a 2.1 honours degree plus Masters (or equivalent).

This project is based at the Dundee site of the James Hutton Institute UK.

Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity

We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.

The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.

The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.

The Company

The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops soils and land use and environmental research and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues such as food energy and environmental security and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these.

JamesHutton() was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment an eighteenth century golden age of intellectual and scientific achievements centred on Edinburgh. He is internationally regarded as the founder of modern geology and one of the first scientists to describe the Earth as a living system. His thinking on natural selection influenced Charles Darwin in developing his theory of evolution.

Our Values

We respect and value our people and the people we engage with

We want to make a difference

We strive to be excellent in everything we do

We lead by example

We foster creativity and innovation

Documents