Urban horticulture is one of the fastest-growing fields, addressing the need for year-round, resource-efficient, and high-quality food production in cities. By joining this program, you will be part of a team advancing indoor farming, hydroponics, and greenhouse-based innovations that can reshape urban food supply chains worldwide.

Role and Research Focus

The Postdoctoral Associate will work on controlled environment crop physiology and advanced production systems. The goal is to improve crop yield, nutritional quality, and sustainability while reducing environmental impact.

Key research areas include:

• Plant physiology in controlled environments (greenhouses and indoor growth chambers)
• Automated data acquisition using environmental sensors and data loggers
• Leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements
• Hydroponic production system performance analysis
• Nutritional and phytochemical profiling with spectrophotometers and HPLC
• Publishing peer-reviewed research and presenting at international conferences

This position is initially funded for one year, with the potential for extension based on performance and funding availability.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Ph.D. in horticulture, crop science, or related field
• Proven experience in plant physiology and controlled environment research
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Evidence of publications in peer-reviewed journals

Salary and Benefits

• Annual Salary: Minimum $50,000
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities at Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• Opportunities for professional development, collaboration, and networking
• Possibility of contract renewal based on performance and funding

Why Join Texas A&M AgriLife Research?

Texas A&M AgriLife is a global leader in urban horticulture and sustainable agriculture research. The Dallas Center integrates advanced technologies with practical solutions to address the growing demand for sustainable urban food systems.

By working here, you will gain hands-on experience with next-generation greenhouses, indoor farming technologies, and analytical equipment, positioning yourself at the forefront of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this position open to international applicants?
Yes, international candidates are welcome if they have the right to work in the U.S. or can secure a work visa.

Q2: What facilities will be available?
Researchers will have access to modern greenhouses, indoor growth chambers, advanced monitoring systems, spectrophotometers, and HPLC.

Q3: Can the position be extended beyond one year?
Yes, extensions are possible depending on performance and funding.

Q4: What makes Texas A&M unique in urban horticulture research?
The program combines world-class research, innovation, and real-world application, making it a hub for sustainable food production studies.

Q5: Is this a teaching role?
No, the position is research-focused, though opportunities exist to present findings at conferences and collaborate with academic teams.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should prepare:

• A cover letter detailing research interests and relevant experience
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a publication list
• Contact details of three professional references

Send applications and inquiries to:
Dr. Genhua Niu, Professor in Urban Horticulture
Email: genhua.niu@ag.tamu.edu

This is a fully funded postdoctoral position (80–100% workload), starting October 1, 2025, offering the chance to work on climate adaptation, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and advanced ecological modeling.

About the Project – OptFORESTS (Horizon Europe)

Climate change is transforming European forestry. The OptFORESTS consortium integrates whole-genome sequencing, tree-ring phenotyping, and climate data modeling to enhance the climate resilience of white oak forests across Europe.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you’ll contribute to shaping forest sustainability through advanced genomic techniques and high-impact research dissemination.

Core Responsibilities

1. Genome-Phenotype Integration

• Conduct GWAS on 1,000+ white oak genomes from pan-European common garden trials.
• Analyze associations between genetic variants, tree-ring traits (e.g., wood density, growth rate), and historical climate data.

2. Landscape Genomics & Simulation Modeling

• Perform landscape-level population genomic analyses to detect patterns of adaptation and gene flow.
• Use forward-in-time simulation tools (e.g., SLiM) to model oak population dynamics under future IPCC climate scenarios.

3. Research Communication & Outreach

• Publish in leading journals (Molecular Ecology, Evolutionary Applications).
• Present findings at international conferences (ESEB, ESA, IUFRO).
• Translate results into applied forestry articles for outlets like Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Forstwesen.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Diversity & Inclusion:
WSL encourages applications from individuals of all genders, backgrounds, and experiences.

Why Work at WSL in Switzerland?

• Top European Postdoc Salary – Highly competitive, tax-friendly packages.
• Modern Research Facilities – Genomics core, dendrochronology labs, HPC clusters.
• Work-Life Balance – 41-hour work week, 5 weeks’ paid vacation, family-friendly culture.
• Relocation Perks – Safe, clean, and multilingual environment with world-class public transport.
• Alpine Lifestyle – Nature, culture, and career in one of Europe’s most livable countries.

Boosted Keywords:
Relocation to Switzerland, cost of living in Switzerland, postdoc work-life balance Europe, research jobs in forest genomics

How to Apply – Postdoc in Forest Genomics

Application Deadline: Ongoing until position is filled
Start Date: October 1, 2025

Submit your complete application package through the official WSL portal:
Apply Here

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter (motivation & qualifications)
• CV with publication list and references
• PhD certificate and academic transcripts
• Contact details of at least 2 referees

Note: Applications sent via email will not be considered.

For Scientific Inquiries:
Dr. Christian Rellstab
christian.rellstab@wsl.ch
+41 44 739 25 42

Shape the Future of Forest Sustainability

This is your chance to drive innovation in climate-resilient forestry, apply genomic insights for real-world impact, and grow your career in one of the most beautiful and scientifically advanced countries in the world.

Start your postdoc journey in ecological genomics—apply now!