Postdoctoral Research Associate (NIFA SCRI)

Online applications must be received before 12:00am on:

January 6, 2025

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

306-YN_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research Associate

Business Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate (NIFA SCRI)

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

The Gang Lab in Washington State University’s Institute for Biological Chemistry seeks a Post-doctoral Research Associate to participate in a new multi-institutional collaborative project funded by USDA-NIFA that is developing a new class of dry beans, known as “popping beans”. These beans pop/puff when heated and have very interesting properties for human health and nutrition as well as for energy saving properties when cooked/processed. The Post-doctoral Research Associate, who will be a PhD level scientist, will spearhead efforts to screen developing popping bean varieties for disease resistance. The post-doctoral fellow will work closely with the Project Manager for the project, with Drs. Gang and Pappu, and with other research team members at partner institutions to identify individuals within breeding populations that have resistance to bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and bean common mosaic necrosis virus , among other diseases, so that such resistance can be incorporated in the varieties of popping beans that are being developed for the project. This individual will carry out and optimize as necessary various pathogen assays and the necessary associated data interpretation and analysis and prepare progress reports and manuscripts for publication. This person will participate in monthly project meetings and the annual project meeting.

The position is initially available for one year, with additional appointment periods dependent on satisfactory performance and availability of continued funding. In addition to a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, the successful candidate will be encouraged to take part in the vibrant plant science and scholarly communities at Washington State University. Furthermore, the region is well-known as a prime location for outdoor recreation.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a plant pathology or related field.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in working with plant viruses, particularly BCMV or other potyviruses.

• Experience in using biological, serological and molecular techniques for virus detection and characterization

• Experience in screening large plant populations for virus resistance/impact.

• Experience in identification of genes in plants that confer resistance to plant viruses, while not required, is desired.

• The competitive candidate should have excellent written and oral communication skills, strong organizational skills with an ability to work in teams.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

College of Agricultural , Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name:

Institute of Biological Chemistry (IBC)

Department Link:

Institute of Biological Chemistry | Washington State University (wsu.edu)

City, State, Zip:

Pullman WA 99163

Annual Salary:

$50,000.00 - $60,000.00

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf

Find total compensation information here: