Postdoctoral position - pathogen evolutionary ecology and management This project will provide excellent experience in working with international teams and an opportunity to impact rural poverty and food security. The project addresses on-farm strategies for managing degeneration of planting materials in vegetatively-propagated crops such as sweetpotato, cassava, potato, yams, and bananas. The Research Associate’s responsibilities will include development of models and scenario analyses, and collaboration in the team’s evaluation of viruses and other pathogens contributing to seed degeneration, and the development of decision support tools for on-farm management. This is an opportunity to develop and test new models of pathogen ecology and evolution under human selection.
The Research Associate will work with Dr. Karen Garrett at Kansas State University (http://www.k-state.edu/pdecology/) and with a team of scientists from multiple centers in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (http://www.cgiar.org/). The Research Associate is expected to create an environment that fosters diversity and cooperation. Required Qualifications: 1. A Ph.D. degree in plant pathology, ecology, or related field; 2. Demonstrated publication record, quality of work, and ability to design and conduct independent modeling experiments with a strong commitment to achieving goals; 3. Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to work in a team-based, multicultural, collaborative environment. Preferred Qualifications: Research and familiarity with plant disease systems is desirable, but candidates with research experience in other biological systems and a desire to apply that knowledge are encouraged to apply; R programming experience is desirable, but other programming language experience is also useful. Experience with GIS is desirable. Please submit complete application (1) Cover letter (2) Curriculum Vitae (3) Three references, including: names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses, to: Department of Plant Pathology Position #143 (required) 4024 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506-5502 E-mail: plantp...@ksu.edu Screening begins August 21, 2012 and position is open until filled. Preference may be given to applicants who are currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. Kansas State University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and actively seeks diversity among its employees. Background checks required. -- Karen A. Garrett Professor, Department of Plant Pathology Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506-5502 USA http://www.ksu.edu/pdecology Phone: 1-785-532-1370 Fax: 1-785-532-5692
