Part-time Non-Academic Research Assistant- Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Part-time (spring and fall semesters) research assistant positions are available in the Esker Lab in the Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology. These positions provide laboratory and field support for the plant disease epidemiology program, with emphasis on research in field crops such as corn, soybean, and wheat.

We are a dynamic lab that uses multiple methods for working with plant diseases funded by federal grants and support from commodity groups and industry partners. Our program conducts research using facilities located in Buckhout Laboratory on the University Park campus. We also have field trials at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Manheim, and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as part of the Soybean On-Farm Network. Opportunities also exist for conducting 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 prior to 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

This job requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid US 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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