Postdoctoral Research Associate I

Research will be based in the Extension Plant Pathology laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Alex Hu. This is a year-to-year appointment, contingent upon funding and performance.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and conduct field plot trials on disease control; Activities include experimental, prepare treatment solution, treatment application, disease rating, collect and process research samples and data according to written protocols; perform data entry and analysis; assist in report preparation and presentation of results. Travel across several counties in the central and southern Arizona is required to field research trial sites. It may take 1-4 hours highway driving and possible overnight stay.
• Conduct routine Laboratory experiments using basic microbiology and molecular biology techniques. Activities include pathogen isolation, identification, cataloging and storage of pathogen specimens. DNA/RNA extraction, quantification, and PCR. Develop, manage, and maintain laboratory protocols. The position will also be responsible for a range of tasks related to lab management, including training and supervision of other lab staff, lab safety compliance and inspections, purchasing, and stocking and maintenance of equipment, supplies, and chemical reagents.
• Participate in routine discussions with the PI. Perform other duties as necessary: conduct literature searches and prepare journal article manuscript, project report, and grant proposal; participate in extension workshops and presentations, present research results at scientific and/or grower meetings; provide training for undergraduate and graduate student workers. This includes planning, assigning, and approving work, as well as coordinating work schedules and delegating tasks in the field/laboratory.
• Additional duties may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Possess/acquire pesticide applicator's license within 6 months of hire date.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and delegate to others.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills as well as experience giving oral presentations.

• Doctor's degree in Plant Pathology, Horticultural sciences or Agronomy upon hire.
• Six years research experience appropriate to the area of assignment; OR any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education approved by Human Resources.
• Must have a valid type D driver's license upon
  employment and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

• PhD degree in Plant Pathology with 2+ years research experience in applied field research on crop disease management.
• Field experience with disease rating with a visual scale. Familiar with symptoms of major diseases on vegetables, fruit nut trees, cotton and grapevine.
• Experience with fungal and bacterial pathogen isolation and pathogenicity test.