Postgraduate Research Opportunity in Wheat Quality Evaluation

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 27, 2019 3:00PM ET

https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-2019-0070

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Hard Red Spring and Durum Wheat Quality Laboratory located in Fargo, North Dakota.

The Hard Red Spring and Durum Wheat Quality Laboratory evaluates processing and end-use quality traits of breeders’ experimental lines of wheat relative to physical and biochemical attributes and genetic and environmental influences. The projects identify wheat lines that are of superior milling, baking, and processing quality before they are considered for commercial release. 

This opportunity is designed to provide the selected participant with in-depth experience conducting quality evaluation in hard red spring and durum wheat. Specifically, the participant will have the opportunity to learn a wide variety of methods used to conduct wheat quality evaluation. These include, but are not limited to: sample preparation (e.g. sorting, cleaning, grinding, etc.), kernel evaluation (e.g. test weight, sizing, thousand kernel weight, hardness, protein, moisture, ash, falling number, etc.), flour evaluation (e.g. protein, moisture, ash, color, etc.), and dough rheology (e.g. mixograph, farinograph, micro-DoughLab, etc). The participant may have the opportunity to learn small-scale experimental milling and baking. The participant must be able to conduct research in a highly dusty and noisy environment and must also be able to stand for long periods of time. The participant must be able to lift at least 25 lbs.

Annual Stipend: $38,000

Health Insurance Allowance: $5,679

Qualifications

The qualified candidate must have received a bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields (Agricultural Sciences, Agriculture, Agronomy and Crop Science, Food Sciences and Technology)

Preferred skills:

• Knowledge in the use of general laboratory equipment (e.g. analytical balances, pipettes, ovens, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of analytical instrumentation pertaining to cereal quality/chemistry
• Basic knowledge in wheat milling
• Accurate record data keeping and entry
• General knowledge of laboratory safety
• Microsoft Office software package (Excel, Word)

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

For more information about the ARS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.

For a full description of this opportunity and to submit your application, visit https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-ARS-2019-0070.

If you have questions, send an email to USDA-ARS@orau.org.  Please include the reference code for this opportunity (USDA-ARS-2019-0070) in your email.