APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.

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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

 

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to conduct primary research and to manage projects on the epidemiology and ecology of the soilborne plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae and bacterial communities in commercial strawberry production systems. We are looking for dynamic, motivated individual to join the Crandall Laboratory at Penn State in close collaboration with the LeBlanc lab at USDA-ARS in Salinas, CA. The Scholar will work on joint research between these labs. Projects will involve characterization of the epidemiological role of airborne dispersal by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. fragariae as well as evaluation and modeling of seasonal variation in soil, foliar, and airborne bacterial communities associated with commercial strawberry production systems in PA and CA. This position will employ field experiments, statistical analyses, molecular diagnostics, and metagenomics. Results will provide important data for future experiments focused on plant microbiomes and preliminary information for growers to improve management of soilborne diseases of strawberry.  

The Postdoctoral Scholars will hone their skills through independent research and mentorship. They will plan, conduct, analyze, and synthesize data, write and submit scientific manuscripts, and present research results at local and national scientific conferences. There will be room for professional development opportunities such as helping with course or symposium development, creating a project website, writing grants, and training/mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. While primarily research positions, Scholars are also responsible for some lab management and student mentoring such as: coordinating and documenting team meetings, organizing travel to meet with collaborators and stakeholders, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate student with their research projects.

These positions require a PhD in plant pathology, microbiology, or related field. Competitive candidates must have significant experience in plant pathology and a willingness and enthusiasm to work in the lab, greenho