Postdoctoral Associate - Seed Biology and Technology Program

Position Function

This position will support research on seed-applied, non-neonicotinoid protection strategies targeting early-season crop pests including Delia spp. in New York cropping systems. The postdoctoral associate will design and conduct laboratory, greenhouse, controlled-environment, and field experiments evaluating seed coating integrity, delivery characteristics of plant defense signaling compounds, and interactions with seed pathogens and early-season pest pressure under cold soil conditions. Research activities will support both controlled-environment evaluation and field validation of biologically based seed protection strategies relevant to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems.

The individual will work at the intersection of seed biology, seed technology, and integrated pest management (IPM), contributing to development of seed treatment compatibility guidelines and biologically based pest management approaches aligned with New York State IPM priorities and the phase-out of neonicotinoid seed treatments.

Anticipated Division of Time

• Experimental design, implementation, and data collection across laboratory, greenhouse, controlled-environment, and field research systems - 50%
• Seed coating formulation, treatment evaluation, and analytical measurements (e.g., release kinetics, seed vigor) - 20%
• Data analysis, interpretation, and manuscript/report preparation - 15%
• Coordination of research activities and mentoring of undergraduate assistants - 10%
• Participation in stakeholder engagement, extension activities, and project reporting - 5%

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with seed coating systems or delivery of biologically active compounds
• Familiarity with greenhouse and controlled-environment experimentation
• Experience working in applied agricultural systems or IPM-focused research
• Experience with analytical or quantitative techniques (e.g., GC-MS, chromatography, or related analytical methods)
• Background in early-season pest management, seed pathology, or soilborne pathogen systems.

Additional Preferred Attributes

• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex, multi-factor experiments and integrate data across physiological, chemical, and biological systems
• Experience working with or willingness to develop skills in analytical techniques such as GC-MS or related methods for quantifying seed-applied compounds
• Experience with statistical modeling, experimental design, and multivariate analysis of biological datasets using R, Python, SAS, or related platforms
• Ability to integrate laboratory, greenhouse, and environmental datasets to support predictive analyses and IPM-focused decision making
• Interest in translating fundamental seed and plant defense biology into applied, field-relevant IPM solutions
• Comfort working at the interface of seed physiology, pest biology, and applied seed technology