"Postdoctoral Associate - Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology"

Position Function

This position requires an experienced Postdoctoral Associate to lead independent research on fungal pathogens of field crops, with emphasis on corn and soybean. The overall purpose of the position is to generate publishable research that advances pathogen biology, population genomics, and disease management while supporting regional and national surveillance efforts. The Postdoctoral Associate designs and executes laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments addressing pathogen diversity, virulence, fungicide sensitivity, and host resistance. The position integrates classical plant pathology with genomic and bioinformatic approaches, including population genomics, pangenome analysis, and pathogen genomic surveillance. The Postdoctoral Associate leads development and application of workflows for isolate characterization, genome scale analyses, and interpretation of genotype phenotype relationships relevant to disease risk and management.

The position contributes to field and greenhouse trials evaluating disease development and control strategies across environments. The individual will collaborate with research station staff, extension educators, grower cooperators, and industry partners to implement replicated experiments and surveillance activities. Responsibilities include oversight of pathogen inoculation, disease phenotyping, and data quality across locations and seasons.

The Postdoctoral Associate will lead data analysis, synthesis, and interpretation across microbiological, genomic, and epidemiological datasets. The position prepares manuscripts, technical reports, and grant deliverables and presents findings at scientific and extension conferences. The individual will contribute to grant writing and contract research related to pathogen surveillance, genomics, and disease management.

The position includes scholarly supervision and training of undergraduate students, graduate students, and technical staff involved in laboratory, greenhouse, field, and computational research. The Postdoctoral Associate contributes to laboratory operations through oversight of experimental workflows, coordination of shared resources, and compliance with laboratory safety and biosafety requirements.

This position functions with substantial intellectual independence and scientific responsibility. The Postdoctoral Associate plays a central role in establishing a research program linking field-based disease biology with genomic pathogen surveillance and pangenome scale analysis of fungal pathogens of agricultural crops.

Anticipated Division of Time

• Lab and Computational Research: 40%
• Field and Greenhouse Research: 20%
• Writing, Data Analysis, and Dissemination: 20%
• Training, Supervision, and Program Support: 20%

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

A PhD in plant pathology, plant biology, or a closely related discipline. Experience working with plant pathogens in laboratory and field or greenhouse settings, including sterile technique, pathogen culturing, inoculation methods, and quantitative disease assessment. Experience analyzing biological data and preparing figures, reports, and peer reviewed manuscripts. Demonstrated capacity for independent research and scientific productivity. Strong written and oral communication skills. Willingness to work collaboratively with research station personnel, extension educators, grower cooperators, and industry partners.

Preferred qualifications:

Experience working with pathogens of field crops in laboratory, greenhouse, or field settings. Experience with molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, or qPCR. Experience analyzing biological data using command line tools, R, SAS, or similar analytical software. Familiarity with bioinformatic workflows, reproducible file organization, and version control systems such as GitHub. Experience contributing to population genomics projects. Experience assisting with training or mentoring students or research staff. Familiarity with laboratory safety practices and research compliance procedures. Exposure to field trial implementation or disease management studies. Experience purchasing, stocking and maintenance of equipment.

Supervision Exercised

Postdoctoral Associate will train and supervise graduate students and undergraduate students in lab and field research techniques.

To apply:

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website.

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring range for this title is $62,232 to $65,000.