Associate, Research - Horticulture

Alcorn State University; Lorman (MS); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Alcorn State University in Mississippi invites applications for an Associate, Research - Horticulture. The role focuses on developing portable diagnostic tools for onsite pest identification and conducting laboratory and applied research with Extension to meet state and local needs.

The candidate will mentor students, assist with grant writing, and prepare outreach materials for limited-resource farmers while coordinating with extension educators and stakeholders across southwestern Mississippi.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Plant Science, Molecular Biology, Plant Pathology, or related field.
• Master's degree in related field with lab experience on molecular tools preferred.
• Hands-on experience in basic molecular techniques and fundamentals of plant pathology.

Responsibilities

• Develop protocols for portable diagnostic tools for onsite pest identification.
• Conduct laboratory and applied research with Extension addressing state and local needs.
• Maintain materials generated by the project.
• Assist data collection, evaluation, and reports.
• Assist with grant writing and budgeting and input into educational programs.
• Prepare extension outreach materials like fact sheets and brochures for limited-resource farmers.
• Mentor graduate/undergraduate students, lab technicians, and student workers.
• Make presentations of research results at conferences or meetings.
• Work with clientele across socio-economic classes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with extension educators that lead to applied research.
• Must be willing to do farm visits and travel to state events as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Molecular biology

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Plant Science

Master's degree in related field

Tools

MinION sequencer

PCR

LAMP

Job description

Associate, Research - Horticulture

Essential Job Functions

• Develop protocols and guidelines for the application ofportable diagnosis tools for onsite pest identification.
• Conduct laboratory and applied research in collaboration withExtension that addresses state and local needs
• Maintain the materials generated by the project.
• Assist with the collection of data, evaluation, andreports.
• Assist with grant writing, and budgeting, and provide input inthe development of educational programs.
• Prepare extension outreach materials like fact sheets,trifolds, brochures, etc. for disseminating information to thelimited resources farmers.
• Mentor graduate/undergraduate students, lab technicians, andstudent workers
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Make presentations orally or on posters of applied researchresults at conferences or meetings.
• Work with clientele across a wide range of socio-economicclasses
• Develop and maintain relationships with extension educatorsthat lead to substantial applied research that directly benefitsproducers across the region.

• Must be willing to do farm visits and travel to state events asneeded.
• Other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Plant Science, Molecular Biology, PlantPathology, or a closely related field.
• Master's degree in a closely related field with laboratoryexperience on molecular tools preferred.
• Hands-on experience in basic molecular techniques andfundamentals of plant pathology.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of molecular biology principles and diagnostictechniques related to pest identification, including portabletechnologies such as MinION sequencer, mini-PCR, LAMP, RPA, andsimilar procedures.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols, researchmethodologies, data collection standards, and basic statisticalanalysis.
• Knowledge of agricultural systems, integrated pest management(IPM), and challenges impacting limited-resource farmers inMississippi.
• Skill in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting portablediagnostic equipment in laboratory and field environments.
• Skill in collecting, organizing, analyzing, and reportingresearch data in compliance with grant requirements.
• Skill in preparing outreach and educational materials (e.g.,presentations, fact sheets, demonstrations) for diverseaudiences.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectivelyto farmers, producers, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to conduct research activities in laboratory settings,the ASU model farm, and various off-site locations acrosssouthwestern Mississippi.

• Ability to work collaboratively with the PrincipalInvestigator, extension personnel, and community partners whilemanaging multiple assignments and meeting project deadlines.