Classification Title: Postdoctoral Fellows, Proposed Annual Salary Range: $50,000 – $52,000 with applicable benefits.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit.
Desired Start Date 06/01/2023, Position End Date (if temporary): To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 05/31/2023
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.
- The Department of Agricultural Biology (AgBio) is committed to excellence in the creation and dissemination of knowledge about insects, plant pathogens, and weeds. Further, AgBio applies this knowledge to solving practical problems related to:
- Management of pests in production agricultural systems, in natural resources and recreational environments, and in residential and public areas;
- Environmental quality, and
- Human and animal health.
The Department encompasses the disciplines of entomology, plant pathology, and weed science – thus providing unique opportunities to address critical issues that cut across disciplinary boundaries. AgBio focuses its teaching, research and outreach missions in four program areas each of which involves all three of the department’s disciplinary roots in entomology, plant pathology, and weed science. These programs are:
- Genomics and Molecular Biology,
- Ecology and Biodiversity,
- Biology and Management of Invasive Species, and
- Integrated Pest Management.
AgBio emphasizes knowledge of pests and related organisms; the roles that they play in ecological, economic and social systems; and the application of such knowledge to developing economically and environmentally sound solutions for practical problems. Being interdisciplinary in nature, AgBio values cooperative and collaborative efforts with other units within the University, as well as other relevant entities in the Colorado and beyond.
Position Summary
The postdoctoral fellow will perform independent research involving charactering the epidemiology of fungal pathogens in fruit orchards by collecting isolates to determine the population structure of isolates collected from different orchards. This work will also assess fungal species groups and determine host ranges of the different species under the guidance of Dr. Jane Stewart. The postdoctoral fellow is expected analyze data, interpret results and write –up and present on results and conclusions.
Required Job Qualifications
- PhD in Plant Pathology with an emphasis in fungal pathogen biology
- Experience coding in and analyzing data in R
- Molecular biology analyses, including genome assembly, microsatellite analyses or a highly related field from an accredited institution by start date.
- Ability to work independently in a research setting.
- The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United Sates at time of hiring; the department will not sponsor a visa for this position.
Preferred Job Qualifications
- Previous work with fungal and oomycete pathogens
- Experience in genomics, phylogenetic and population genetics
- Knowledge of various software for data processing and coding in Unix
- Previous experience with generating reports, grant writing, and publishing data
Diversity Statement
Personal or professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes.
Duty/Responsibility
- The post doc will perform molecular biology experiments and generate population genomic data.
- They will also perform analyses of these genetic data that include population genomics and phylogenetics to determine pathways of spread and speciation fungal canker pathogen in tree fruit.
- The post-doc will also present results and prepare manuscripts.
To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, an unofficial transcript, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment: Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Jane.stewart@colostate.edu
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker.
The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu. The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu.
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu. Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education.
Background Check Policy Statement: Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
Apply by May 31, 2023