Job ID359269 LocationTwin Cities Job FamilyResearch-Researchers Full/Part TimeFull-Time Regular/TemporaryRegular Job Code8352R1 Employee ClassCivil Service About the Job 100% (40 hours/week) Temporary Posted (limited to 2 years) Supervisor: Devanshi Khokhani ([email protected]) Anticipated Salary: $37,000 - $40,000 Final salary will be determined by our HR Compensation Team and will be commensurate with education and experience. Position Summary: The potential candidate in Researcher 1 position will work with bacterial plant pathogen, Ralstonia solanacearum and its association with different solanaceous hosts in growth chamber settings in a regulated facility on the UMN campus. The selected candidate will perform structured research-related work assignments such as plant infections with bacterial culture, monitoring plant growth and infections during the experiment, counting bacterial population using microbiological techniques, maintaining culture stocks free of contamination, performing microscopy, documenting procedures and results for all the experiments, autoclaving infected plants and bacterial cultures, disposing the autoclaved material using standard operating procedures, meeting and discussing results with the PI and planning next set of experiments, identify problems and relevant issues in straightforward situations, assess potential responses using standard procedures, and make sound decisions accordingly. The candidate is required to complete biosafety and chemical training within the first week of joining. The lab PI will train the selected candidate for all of the above tasks. Apart from research objectives, the candidate is expected to assist in lab management activities like monitoring chemical and lab supplies inventory. Job Duties: (30%) Grow and maintain plants and bacterial cultures as needed, perform plant infections, plating and counting bacterial populations from infected plants on growth medium, measure plant symptoms following bacterial infection, and fertilize/water plants. (20%) Keep detailed records of all experiments and procedures in laboratory notebooks, databases, spreadsheets, and web-based applications. (20%) Prepare and autoclave media and solutions under sterile conditions in large quantities. (10%) Conduct background literature research on relevant topics, including current methods, reagents, and ethics. (10%) Perform a variety of molecular and biochemical analyses on bacterial samples, using fluorescence/confocal microscopy to track bacterial movement in the infected plants. (10%) Update lab inventories and ordering, help monitor and train undergraduate student workers. Qualifications Required Qualifications: BS in biology/microbiology/plant pathology or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years; applies knowledge and skill to a recurring task or activity with emphasis typically on precision and timeliness of execution. Preferred Qualifications: 1. Prior experience in growing plants in controlled environments 2. molecular biology work like DNA isolation and PCR 3. Excellent written/oral communication and organizational skills 4. Experience in experimental documentation (photography of specimens and electronic data recording) 5. Familiarity of inoculation techniques and disease assessment methods with plants 6. Experience in project management (i.e. overseeing budgets, organization of data; personnel issues, laboratory safety requirements, purchase and organization of research supplies and materials) 7. Advanced computer software skills (i.e. advanced data analysis and statistical packages) About the Department Department Overview Since 1907 the has had a strong and positive impact on plant health, agricultural development, and ecosystem vitality on local, national, and international scales. Ongoing collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts in basic and applied research have enabled the faculty in the Department of Plant Pathology to build a strong foundat on of science in teaching, research, and extension. Faculty in the Department are nationally and internationally recognized for conducting research in genetics of disease resistance at the molecular, cellular, and whole plant levels; genomics/bioinformatics of plant-microbe interactions; plant disease management; microbial ecology related to plant health and disease; biological control; population genetics; fungal biology and genomics; plant virology; bacteriology; nematology; forest health; wood deterioration; high throughput phenotyping; and global climate change. Exemplary education, based on research, is a departmental priority and faculty offer a rich and diverse portfolio of undergraduate and graduate courses, serving students within the Department and across the College and University through in-person and online delivery. The Department's strong graduate program delivers excellence in teaching, research, and mentoring that provides an enriching graduate experience. Graduates move on to careers in agriculture and related industries, public agencies, academia, and private consulting. The Department has access to state-of-the-art facilities including plant growth facilities with classrooms, greenhouses, and a biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) plant pathology quarantine greenhouse and laboratory, along with adjacent research plots that support both conventional and organic production systems. Other resources include the Minnesota Supercomputer Institute and Biodale that provides state-of-the art genomic, imaging, and mass-spectrometry facilities. Ten unique research and outreach centers throughout Minnesota enhance the Department's research infrastructure. Adjunct faculty from the USDA-ARS Cereal Disease Laboratory, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, and Plant Science Research Unit, located on campus, support the mission of the Department. A dedicated and professional team supports the Department's administrative, financial, and communication functions. College Overview The is composed of 13 academic departments, 10 research and outreach centers across Minnesota, plus the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the Bell Museum, and dozens of interdisciplinary centers that span the college, the university, and the globe. CFANS offers thirteen undergraduate majors and thirteen graduate majors, three pre-major/pre-professional programs and 23 minors for undergraduate students. Undergraduate enrollment in the college is about 2000 students. CFANS students are well-prepared for a diverse, multicultural workforce through the college's emphasis on experiential, interdisciplinary, and intercultural learning; internships and global perspectives. At CFANS, we aim to inspire minds, nourish people, and enhance the natural environment, and we believe that's only possible if everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Our College embraces equity and diversity and prioritizes purpose-driven scientific discovery in order for us to build a better tomorrow, together. We align with the University of Minnesota in providing equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color,... For full info follow application link. The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.