Research Associate

The department of Plant Pathology is seeking a motivated, independent, and organized Research Associate to assist with all aspects of field and lab management in the program of Dr. Rodrigo Onofre. The successful candidate will have experience in greenhouse assay development, design and implementation of field trials, pathogen culture maintenance, and plant disease diagnostics with molecular diagnostic approaches. Ability to travel to research locations as needed to survey for plant pathogens and collect research observations from field-based experiments.

Responsibilities include:
* Design experiments and adjust existing research protocols, data collection and analysis.
* Support field and greenhouse research programs including planting and harvesting of research plots, weekly visual assessments of disease throughout the growing season.
* Writing and drafting manuscripts and reports.
* Administrative responsibilities such as; coordinate purchasing and inventory for lab and field activities, organize purchasing receipts and manage Concur for the research team, work with accounting to help manage grant budgets, organize Extension activities.

The department of Plant Pathology studies plant health to understand life. Plants, animals, and microbes share common basic features. Research on plant genomics helps define gene function in other forms of life, even humans. Plants feed, clothe, and protect us. They provide energy for a variety of uses. They enhance the quality of our lives. They are crucial to our existence.

We foster excellence in research, teaching, extension, and service, and this has been recognized in our faculty awards and student awards.

We learn how plants and pathogens interact and how the environment affects that interaction. We modify plants so they can fight diseases and improve yield and quality. We transfer genes from wild plants to crop plants to increase genetic diversity. We study bacteria, fungi, nematodes and viruses; bioinformatics, biological control, biotechnology, disease diagnosis and management, disease physiology, ecology and epidemiology, host and microbial genetics and cytogenetics, modeling/statistics, molecular genetics, and molecular plant-microbe interactions. To learn more, https://www.plantpath.k-state.edu/.

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a master's degree and two years of relevant experience.
  
  Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager. The degree requirement ensures candidates possess advanced research skills, data analysis expertise and scientific writing ability in order to independently execute complex research tasks, interpret findings and contribute to scholarly publications. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and intensive experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the field of plant pathology, plant protection, agronomy or related field of science.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with greenhouse experiments.
• Experience with replicated research at the field level and own farm trials.
• Experience with ARM software.

Additional Role Information:

• Valid driver's license

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Please submit the following documents:

1. Letter of Interest
2. CV or Resume
3. Name, email and phone number for 3 professional references

Applications close on:May 17, 2026

$50,000 - $70,000