Fully Funded PhD Position in Plant Breeding and Genetics Spring 2027

The Small Grain Breeding and Research Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to conduct research in wheat breeding, genetics, and adaptation to subarctic environments. The research will focus on understanding the genetic basis of wheat adaptation, stress tolerance, and grain yield under Alaska’s unique growing conditions. The student will work with diverse wheat germplasm and breeding populations using a combination of: ● Multi-location field phenotyping ● Germplasm characterization and evaluation ● Controlled hybridization and population development ● Quantitative and molecular genetic approaches ● Genome-wide association and related genomic analyses ● Statistical analysis of genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interactions The project will provide opportunities for hands-on training in applied plant breeding, field experimentation, quantitative genetics, genomics, and data analysis.