Postdoctoral Researcher

Position Summary

The Department of Agricultural Biology encompasses the disciplines of entomology, plant pathology, and weed science – thus providing unique opportunities to address critical issues that cut across disciplinary boundaries. The department focuses its teaching, research, and outreach missions in four program areas each of which involves all three of the department's disciplinary roots in entomology, plant pathology, and weed science. Agricultural Biology emphasizes knowledge of pests and related organisms;

the roles that they play in ecological, economic and social systems; and the application of such knowledge to developing economically and environmentally sound solutions for practical problems. Being interdisciplinary in nature, Agricultural Biology values cooperative and collaborative efforts with other units within the University, as well as other relevant entities in the Colorado and beyond.

The position will focus on studying plant–virus–vector interactions in hemp, with an emphasis on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying plant defense responses to insect vectors and insect-vectored pathogens. This research will employ integrative approaches that combine ecology, molecular biology, transcriptomics, metabolomics, microbiome analyses, and functional genomics. The successful candidate will contribute to experimental design, data analysis, and the interpretation of complex multi-omics datasets.

Additional responsibilities include preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications, presenting research findings at scientific conferences, and contributing to grant writing efforts.

• Conducting greenhouse, laboratory, and field experiments focused on plant–virus-vector interactions in hemp.
• Performing molecular, biochemical, and multi-omics analyses, including transcriptomics, metabolomics, microbiome analyses, and related techniques.
• Collecting, managing, and analyzing experimental and large-scale biological datasets using appropriate statistical and bioinformatics approaches.
• Preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications and presenting research findings at scientific conferences and stakeholder meetings.
• Assisting with grant writing, project coordination, and reporting activities:
  Maintaining accurate research records and ensuring compliance with university, greenhouse, and laboratory safety protocols.
• Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in laboratory, greenhouse, and field research activities.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary researchers, extension personnel, and stakeholders on research and outreach initiatives.

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires)
• Valid driver's license or access to qualified driver by employment start date.
• Authorized to work in the United States by employment start date.

• The individual will be expected to train and mentor graduate and undergraduate students involved in the project through active mentorship and hands-on instruction in laboratory, greenhouse, field, and data analysis techniques. This role will provide the postdoctoral researcher with opportunities to develop leadership and mentoring skills while offering students valuable experience in interdisciplinary agricultural research.

• Candidates should have a Ph.D. in Entomology, plant pathology, molecular biology, or other closely related fields.
• Experience in conducting greenhouse, laboratory, and field experiments focused on plant–insect and plant–virus-vector interactions.
• Experience in insect molecular biology methods (RNA/DNA extraction, RT-PCR, sequencing, serological assays, RNAi, confocal microscopy)
• Experience in analyzing big data sets from multi- "omics" techniques and/or using various bioinformatic and statistical tools, such as Python, R, and other languages/software
• Proven ability to conduct and publish independent research.

• 2-3 years of post-doc experience
• Assisting with grant writing, project coordination, and reporting activities.
• Experience in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students
• Field experience
• Strong organizational skills.