Associate Specialist​/Lowe-Power Lab

Position Title

Associate Specialist, Plant Pathology (Part-Time) – Lowe‑Power Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis.

Support research on the molecular mechanisms of host‑specific virulence in Ralstonia wilt pathogens within the IIB4 subclade of the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex. Work under the supervision of Dr. Tiffany Lowe‑Power to design, conduct, and analyze laboratory experiments and genomic datasets, and contribute to the lab’s scientific output.

• Design and conduct sensitive wilt disease progression assays of RSSC IIB4 strains on tomato and other host plants; analyze and interpret data.
• Apply R and computational pipelines to analyze large genomic and phenotypic datasets to identify candidate determinants of host range and virulence.
• Use molecular bacterial genetics and molecular biology techniques (e.g., targeted mutagenesis, chromosomal integration‑based complementation, RNA analyses) to validate mechanisms related to host range.
• Maintain an organized laboratory notebook, develop publication‑quality figures using Graph Pad Prism and Affinity Designer, and prepare manuscripts for publication.
• Collaborate with other research personnel in lab management activities.
• Participate in professional societies and stay current with emerging technologies.
• Mentor junior lab members, contribute to laboratory and group meetings, and support departmental activities and seminars.

• Basic qualification: Ph.D. in Molecular Plant Pathology or related field.
• Preferred qualification: At least 3 years of relevant laboratory research experience in plant bacteriology, genomics, and molecular genetics.
• Preferred qualification: Experience working safely with APHIS‑regulated bacterial pathogens in plant growth chambers.
• Preferred qualification: Ability to bend, squat, crouch, and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Preferred qualification: Expertise in plant‑pathogenic Ralstonia.
• Preferred qualification: Experience with genome‑wide association experiments.
• Preferred qualification: Experience quantifying rigorous wilt symptom assays.
• Preferred qualification: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Graph Pad Prism, R, and Affinity Designer.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under federal or state law. UC Davis complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and, where applicable, requires an E‑Verify check.

Davis, CA.