Research Associate

Washington State University•Pullman, WA

6d•$50,000 - $55,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Institute of Biological Chemistry (IBC) in Washington State University’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) seeks a full-time, nine-month Research Associate in Pullman, Washington. The position specializes in evaluation and certification of heat resilience in wheat. The successful candidate will conduct research, obtain grants, and develop and maintain an extramurally funded research program. The role is allocated 95% to research and 5% to administration. Research includes greenhouse and field trials of heat resilience in wheat reproductive stages; designing, manufacturing, and servicing portable heat-stress application tents; collecting plant material; microscopy and tissue analysis; image and data analysis; manuscript writing; and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. The Institute’s mission is to discover mechanisms underlying plant form and function, translate scientific discoveries into innovations for sustainable foods, chemicals, and fuels, and mentor future scientists and leaders. Work visa sponsorship is not available. The position requires a background check.

Requirements

PhD degree in plant sciences.
Very strong experience in plant stress biology.
Extensive expertise in designing and developing infrastructure for field trials, and running trials, collecting data, and analyzing data to characterize the wheat reproductive system under different environmental conditions.
Expertise in transmission and scanning electron microscopy, including high-pressure freezing and freeze-substitution.
Expertise in cryosectioning, immunocytochemistry, light microscopy, and image analysis.
Strong publication record in areas relevant to the position.

Nice To Haves

Skills in preparation and characterization of antibodies.
Experience with protein expression, molecular biology, and biochemistry.

Responsibilities

Conduct research on evaluation and certification of heat resilience in wheat.
Obtain grants and develop and maintain an extramurally funded research program.
Perform greenhouse and field trials of heat resilience in wheat reproductive stages.
Design, manufacture, and service portable heat-stress application tents.
Sample plant material, including vegetative and reproductive organs.
Perform electron and scanning electron microscopy, cryosectioning of plant tissues, and immunocytochemistry.
Conduct image analysis and data analysis, and write manuscripts.
Mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
Perform administrative duties (5% of the role).