Part-Time Research Assistant Positions – Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, PA, invites applications for part-time Research Assistant positions in the Esker Lab within the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology. These roles support laboratory and fieldwork for plant disease epidemiology focused on corn, soybeans and wheat.

Duties include fungal culture preparation, microbiological culturing, DNA extraction, sample collection from field and greenhouse experiments, and data entry.

Qualifications

• Typical duties include laboratory and fieldwork support.
• Involves handling fungal cultures and DNA extraction.

Responsibilities

• Fungal culture media preparation
• Microbiological culturing and isolation of soil and seed-borne fungal pathogens
• Enumeration of fungal colonies
• Selection of pure cultures for long-term preservation
• Microscopic evaluation and identification of fungal cultures
• Assist with laboratory assays and fungicide sensitivity studies
• Assist with DNA extraction and quality checks
• Collect soil and plant samples from field and greenhouse experiments
• Perform germination tests for corn, soybean and wheat
• Assess plant diseases from field, greenhouse or growth chamber studies
• Data entry of field and laboratory experiments

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Part-time research assistant positions (spring, summer, and fall) are available in the Esker Lab, Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology. These roles support laboratory and fieldwork for the plant disease epidemiology program, focusing on research on field crops such as corn, soybeans and wheat. We are a dynamic lab that employs various methods to manage plant diseases, supported by federal grants and funding from commodity groups and industry partners. Our research is carried out using facilities at Buckhout Laboratory on the University Park campus. We also conduct field trials at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center in Rock Springs, the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Manheim, and across Pennsylvania as part of the Soybean On-Farm Network. Opportunities are also available for independent research!

Typical duties in this position include, but are not limited to:

• Fungal culture media preparation
• Microbiological culturing and isolation of soil and seed-borne fungal pathogens
• Enumeration of fungal colonies
• Selection of pure cultures of isolates for long-term preservation
• Microscopic evaluation and identification of fungal cultures
• Assist with laboratory assays, including pathogenicity tests and fungicide sensitivity studies
• Assist with DNA extraction and quality check of fungal isolates from different genomic projects
• Collect soil and plant samples from field and greenhouse experiments and provide necessary assistance with sample processing before analysis/evaluation
• Perform germination tests for corn, soybean and wheat seed samples from field trials
• Assess plant diseases from research studies conducted in the field, as well as in greenhouse or growth chamber trials
• Data entry of field and laboratory experiments

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

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Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

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