Part-Time Research Assistant Positions – Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology

Application Instructions:

• CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student): Login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State: Login to Workday to complete the student application process. Do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
• If you are NOT a current employee or student: Click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

About the Role

Part-time research assistant positions (spring, summer, and fall) are available in the Esker Lab, Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology. These roles support laboratory and fieldwork for the plant disease epidemiology program, focusing on research on field crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. We are a dynamic lab that employs various methods to manage plant diseases, supported by federal grants and funding from commodity groups and industry partners. Our research is carried out using facilities at Buckhout Laboratory on the University Park campus. We also conduct field trials at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center in Rock Springs, the Southeast Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Manheim, and across Pennsylvania as part of the Soybean On-Farm Network. Opportunities are also available for independent research!

Responsibilities

• Fungal culture media preparation
• Microbiological culturing and isolation of soil and seed-borne fungal pathogens
• Enumeration of fungal colonies
• Selecting pure cultures of isolates for long-term preservation
• Microscopic evaluation and identification of fungal cultures
• Affixing with laboratory assays, including pathogenicity tests and fungicide sensitivity studies
• Affixing with DNA extraction and quality check of fungal isolates from different genomic projects
• Collecting soil and plant samples from field and greenhouse experiments and providing necessary assistance with sample processing before analysis/evaluation
• Performing germination tests for corn, soybean, and wheat seed samples from field trials
• Assessing plant diseases from research studies conducted in the field, as well as in greenhouse or growth chamber trials
• Data entry of field and laboratory experiments

Requirements

Background checks/clearances are required as part of employment with the University. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver's license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

Benefits

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive.

Pay

The pay for this position is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is part-time.

Qualifications

Qualifications for this position include a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and experience in laboratory and fieldwork related to plant pathology and environmental microbiology.

Skills

Skills for this position include proficiency in laboratory techniques, experience with fungal cultures, and ability to perform data entry and analysis.

Benefits

Benefits for this position include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.

Contact Information

For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants. For more information about the Esker Lab and the plant disease epidemiology program, please contact the department directly.