Job location: JOHNSON HALL

Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2021-02-19
Req: R-499

Title:

321-NN - Associate in

Business Title:

Associate In

Additional Titles:

Location:

WSU PULLMAN CAMPUS

Employee Type:

Faculty

Job Family:

Faculty - Academic - Not OT Eligible

Position Details:

Summary of Duties: An Associate in Research is sought to manage the Plant Pathology Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC) on the main campus in Pullman and to serve as the eastern Washington coordinator for plant diagnostic activities and resources for Washington State University. The candidate will utilize serological, molecular, biochemical, and traditional methods to diagnose plant problems for stakeholders in Washington State. The diagnostician will also oversee the diagnostic testing service lab, previously called the ELISA lab. The PPDC will be housed administratively in the Department of Plant Pathology (http://plantpath wsu.edu/) and will be an integrated component of the Department.The PPDC will also be integrated into the Western Region National Plant Diagnostic Network (https://www.npdn.org/). Diagnostician responsibilities include coordination and oversight of all aspects of daily operations of the PPDC in Pullman, including compilation of an annual report that summarizes the PPDC activities. The diagnostician will implement/maintain standard operating procedures and meticulous record keeping and oversee data upload to the NPDN National Repository (https://npdn.ceris.purdue.edu/). The diagnostician will prepare professionally written responses to stakeholders in a timely manner describing the diagnoses and provide appropriate management recommendations.

The successful candidate is expected to collaborate with research and extension colleagues in cooperating CAHNRS departments as well as extension specialists, state regulatory personnel, county and regional extension faculty, and counterparts at other land-grant institutions in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA, nationally and internationally. The diagnostician may also collaborate with colleagues on development and evaluation of new diagnostic tools and publish research or extension articles on novel diseases as time and resources permit. The successful candidate will collaborate with the Plant & Insect Diagnostic Laboratory (PIDL) at the WSU Puyallup REC in western Washington for coordinating and providing leadership for diagnostic facilities, resources, and programs in Washington State. The incumbent will actively participate in National Plant Diagnostic Network activities (http://www.wpdn.org/) as well as appropriate professional meetings. Coordinator responsibilities include supervision of student help in the PPDC, management of the PPDC budget, development and oversight of the PPDC website and database for plant disease, nematode, insect. and abiotic diagnoses, as well as plant and weed identifications; cooperation with state and federal regulatory personnel, including in an advisory capacity, and coordination of PPDC training sessions for county/regional extension faculty, industry consultants, and state regulatory officials. Statewide travel will be expected, as well as limited national travel. The incumbent must have or obtain within 4 months of starting this position, a Washington State Department of Agriculture Public Consultant Pesticide license. The diagnostician will be expected to establish relationships with plant stakeholders in Washington State and manage a fee-based diagnostic program that partially cover diagnostic expenses. The incumbent will contribute guest lectures on plant diagnoses to appropriate courses within the Department of Plant Pathology and collaborating departments in the CAHNRS.

Required Qualifications:

• An MS degree in plant pathology or a related field with at least two additional years of work experience in plant disease diagnosis.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team as well as individually with minimal supervision to meet the overall goals of the PPDC.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Must have or obtain within 4 months of starting this position, a Washington State Department of Agriculture Public Consultant Pesticide license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in a laboratory setting with isolation, identification, and testing pathogenicity of microorganisms associated with plant diseases, as well as preparing disease reports in a timely manner.
• Experience developing novel diagnostic tools, including molecular detection of plant pathogens using DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, PCR assays, DNA hybridization, and analyses of DNA sequences using web-based bioinformatics tools.
• Experience creating nucleic acid primer sequences and analyzing DNA.
• Experience in agricultural extension activities, including evidence of professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Initiative and ability to perform diagnostic operations efficiently and creatively in a manner that furthers the mission of the PPDC.
• Experience supervising student hourly workers (graduate and undergraduate students) in a diagnostic setting.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
• Proficiency using common computer software for word processing, data analysis, and graphics for preparing diagnostic reports, annual reports, extension documents, and presentations.
• Commitment to the U.S. Land Grant University system.

Additional Information:

Monthly Salary: Commensurate on experience
FTE: 100%
Tenure Track (Faculty only): Non-tenure track
Permanent/Temporary: Temporary
Position Term in months: 12 Months
City, State, Zip: Pullman, WA 99164
Department Link: https://plantpath.wsu.edu/
Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check
Screening Begin Date: March 1, 2021
Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicants must attach the following documents to their online application: 1) CV and 2) cover letter.

Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

Applicants are required to include contact information for professional references within the application

Required Documents: CV and Cover Letter

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.