POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

Mechanisms of Plant Immune Action on Bacteria

Position Description: A postdoctoral position is available in the Molecular Phytobacteriology Lab (PI: Brian Kvitko) at the University of Georgia, Athens campus (https://site.caes.uga.edu/kvitkolab/). The candidate will work on an NSF CAREER-funded project to characterize interactions between plant immunity, the AlgU (RpoE) bacterial stress regulon, and bacterial diseases of plants (https://bit.ly/2WuKmxU).

Responsibilities: 80% research, 20% other responsibilities including mentoring and training of junior lab members, scientific writing of manuscripts/development of grant proposals, and project management. A career development and mentoring plan will be jointly tailored by the PI and the postdoc.

Requirements: A Ph.D. degree in either Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Biochemistry, Plant Biology, Molecular Biology or a related discipline completed prior to the expected start date is required. Demonstrated expertise with molecular biology and molecular genetics is required. Good organizational/planning skills and demonstrated skill in both written and oral scientific communication are required. Experience working with bacteria and bacterial genetics in particular is preferred. Some graduate-level coursework and/or demonstrated experience in molecular plant-microbe interactions is preferred.

Compensation: $47,576 annual salary with benefits (https://postdocs.uga.edu/#1512663872870-9c364c66-a0b7).

Expected Start Date: February, 2020

Application Procedure: All candidates must submit an application through https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/96523 (posting number G/R03410P). Applications will consist of a cover letter addressing the above requirements, a statement of research interests and career goals, a curriculum vitae, doctoral transcripts, and the contact information for three references. Reference letters do not need to be sent at this time. The candidate’s permission will be obtained before contacting references and requesting letters.

Review of applications will begin September 1st 2019. The position will remain open until filled.

Institutional Information: UGA, a Land/Sea Grant institution located 70 miles northeast of Atlanta, is ranked 13th among public universities in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 edition of America’s Best Colleges. The Department of Plant Pathology encompasses a broad range of disciplines and has historical strengths in mycology, plant disease epidemiology, disease management and plant-associated microbiology. UGA offers a vibrant research environment in diverse branches of the plant sciences (https://plantcenter.uga.edu/). Athens, GA, is consistently ranked highly for its quality of life and vibrant culture (https://www.visitathensga.com), while maintaining a low cost of living.

UGA is an EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Institution. As such, we are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. We not only strongly encourage women, minorities and other diverse candidates to consider applying for this position, but we also maintain that all candidates should share our commitment to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.

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