Job Opportunities
Research Assistant Professor in Mycotoxin Fungal Biology
Job Summary
There are 11.4 million grain crop production acres in Indiana with a total value of $9.5 billion annually. Of that, 5.45 million acres are corn, 5.50 million acres are soybean, and 405,000 acres are winter wheat. Management of disease issues to sustainably improve productivity is paramount to these growers. Production of mycotoxins, (i.e. deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, aflatoxins, ochratoxin, trichothecene and zearalenone), by several fungal pathogen species present significant challenges to corn and wheat production in Indiana and throughout the U.S. Most mycotoxins remain chemically stable even through food and ethanol processing, threatening global food security and having serious health impacts on animals and livestock. Significant economic losses are being incurred by farmers due to the rejection and resultant disposal of mycotoxin-contaminated grain.
We invite applications from outstanding scientists interested in contributing to the advancement of fundamental and/or applied plant pathology in relation to mycotoxin research. The successful candidate will be responsible for development of an internationally recognized and extramurally funded research program addressing this critical issue. Key responsibilities will include assessment of mycotoxin prevalence in Indiana, identification of causal agents responsible for mycotoxin production and conducting research to develop environmentally sound, economically feasible, and sustainable mycotoxin disease management strategies for Indiana growers. The individual will lead research efforts aimed at mitigating the impact of mycotoxins and develop collaborations with crop pathologists, extension educators, and industry stakeholders to make recommendations about mycotoxin management and research goals. The overarching goal of the research program will be the creation of management plans to reduce mycotoxins in grain and tools for forecasting and mitigating its occurrence.
Qualifications
Applicants should have a Ph.D. in plant pathology or a closely related field (must be satisfied by the start of the appointment). Applicants should have an established record of scholarly publications, the potential to develop an extramurally funded research program, and demonstrated collaborations across various academic disciplines and within the industry.
Application Instructions
Applications should be submitted electronically via https://careers.purdue.edu/job/Professor-Research-Assistant/35408-en_US/ and should include in a single pdf file a cover letter, a complete curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and the names and contact information for four references. Screening of applications will begin February 6, 2024, and will continue until the until a suitable candidate is identified. Address questions to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Darcy Telenko (dtelenko@purdue.edu). A background check is required for employment in this position.
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Research Assistant
Job Summary
The department of Botany and Plant Pathology is seeking a Research Assistant. Under the immediate supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI), you will perform and manage field and greenhouse research experiments, assist undergraduate students and support staff with field and greenhouse research as well as research involving establishment, maintenance and completion of studies to determine best integrated management strategies to control plant diseases.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Working with PI, help develop and design research plans and strategies and avoiding loss of valuable research time and resources
- Designing and performing field experiments in collaboration with PI. Day-to-day research procedures are determined in consultation with PI
- Coordinating research with cooperators around the state and in other states
- Advising undergraduate students and service personnel concerning research on a day-to-day basis
- Advising on different experiment techniques
- Participating in preparation of all oral and written communication including manuscripts, grants, reports to sponsors and conference presentation. Activities include literature searches, writing drafts of specific sections (e.g., materials and methods), preparing PowerPoint slides, data analysis, etc.
- Assisting in technical papers for publication
- Responsible for knowledge of NIH and OSHA safety rules and ensure that all groups are informed and aware of all safety regulations and proper methods for handling potentially dangerous chemicals, pathogens, substances and materials
- Maintaining CDL for hauling field research equipment
- Collecting and maintaining pathogen culture collections and preparing inoculum for greenhouse and field work
- Purchasing of new laboratory and/or farm equipment as needed
What We're Looking For:
- Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Ag Systems Management, Plant Pathology, or related field
- 1 year of field research experience
- Ability to operate farm equipment
- Ability to perform or learn techniques involved with field and greenhouse research
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to use a computer spreadsheet, graphics, and word processing software
- Some travel
- Must obtain CDL within six months
- Valid US or Canadian driver’s license
Nice to Have:
- Practical farm and field experience
- Knowledge of field and farm equipment
- Trouble shooting and problem-solving skills
Apply Here!
The Department
The Department of Botany and Plant Pathology has a diverse and creative faculty that conducts research in weed science, plant pathology, and plant biology. The department is part of a dynamic research community of scientists in the College of Agriculture and across the university, including SWPAC. The department is primarily located in Lilly Hall on the Purdue main campus in West Lafayette, with research labs, instructional spaces and teaching labs, greenhouse complex, and plant growth facilities.
The College
The Department is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world’s leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences and ranked fifth in the world in the 2023 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College has 11 academic departments and includes 302 faculty, 2823 undergraduate students, and 689 graduate students. The College’s current strategic plan can be accessed at Strategic Plan (https://ag.purdue.edu/about/strategic-plan.html).