Postdoctoral Research Scholar: The University of Florida (UF) Plant Pathology Department is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Postdoctoral Research Scholar to advance the understanding and sustainable management of bacterial and fungal plant pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes through the use of soil micropredators. This interdisciplinary project is funded by the USDA Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative and involves collaboration with teams from the University of California-Davis, Penn State, The Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station, and William Paterson University.
Designation
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Research Area
Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Plant Science
Location
Main Campus, Gainesville, FL
Eligibility/Qualification
- Doctoral degree (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Plant Science, or closely related fields.
- U.S. driver’s license and ability to travel for field sampling.
- Strong organization, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
- Experience in microbiology, molecular biology, and microbiome analysis.
- Experience writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
- Skills in statistical analysis using R and bioinformatics.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous postdoctoral experience or experience with quantitative qPCR, Illumina, and Nanopore sequencing.
- Experience in managing and analyzing large datasets with Rstudio or similar tools.
- Experience working with bacteria and plant-parasitic nematodes.
Job Description
The selected candidate will design, coordinate, and conduct research projects, which will include:
- Studies of plant microbiomes.
- Advancements in the detection and quantification of plant pathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes via qPCR.
- Development of sustainable management methods for plant disease.
Responsibilities also include:
- Lab and greenhouse work: designing experiments, isolating nucleic acids, preparing samples for sequencing, and ensuring lab safety.
- Data analysis: compiling and analyzing experimental and metadata, archiving data and samples.
- Scientific writing: composing progress reports for research sponsors and writing manuscripts.
The selected scholar will also manage the day-to-day operations of a modern phytobacteriology research laboratory and contribute to other lab projects.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following documents online to Careers at UF:
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how you meet the qualifications.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for three academic/professional references.
For any inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Samuel Martins at sj.martins@ufl.edu.
Last Date to Apply
Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) on June 15, 2025.
