PhD Graduate Assistantship

Responsibilities:

The student working on this project will assemble and characterize a collection of 600–800 Fusarium isolates obtained from U.S. onion and garlic plants. This culture collection will serve as a foundational resource for all subsequent project activities. The student will develop a diagnostic assay capable of distinguishing pathogenic from nonpathogenic Fusarium proliferatum strains and will establish a high-throughput bioPCR-based seed testing assay for

F. proliferatum. Once implemented in diagnostic laboratories, these assays will provide growers with valuable tools for disease detection and management.

To improve disease risk assessment, the student will evaluate the reliability of existing soil testing methods for predicting Fusarium basal rot by validating them with artificially inoculated (spiked) soil samples. In addition, the student will organize and analyze data from an interlaboratory comparison evaluating newly developed diagnostic assays for Fusarium oxysporum and

F. proliferatum. This comparison will assess assay performance using DNA from Fusarium basal rot pathogens and closely related Fusarium species to ensure diagnostic accuracy and specificity.

The project is supervised by the University of Maine Faculty housed in Cooperative Extension with an appointment in the School of Food and Agriculture. The student will also work closely with scientists also involved in the project from other universities. Good communication skills are essential as the student will be responsible for frequent coordination and reporting.

A M.S. in a similar field is strongly preferred. Prior molecular and diagnostic laboratory experience and an interest in vegetable production systems are essential. Must have a desire to contribute to a collaborative and supportive graduate student community. Prior experience in assembling culture collections is desirable but not required.

Minimum $31,500 per year paid bi-weekly, full medical insurance premium for students and up to 50% for one dependent, minimum of 50% of dental insurance premium for students, and 19 credit hours of tuition in year one and two, and 6 credit hours in year three and four. Funding is renewed annually, dependent upon student performance. A 4-year research assistantship is anticipated.

Students will be based at the University of Maine, in Orono, a flagship R-1 institution and friendly community in the small and bike-able town of Orono, near the City of Bangor. The campus is surrounded by forests, bogs, rivers, and lakes set in the famous Hundred-Mile Wilderness of the Appalachian Trail and the spectacular coastline of Acadia National Park. Waterways, and hiking, biking and ski-trails on the campus doorstep provide opportunities for four seasons of outdoor recreation.

The student will be advised by Dr. Alicyn Smart, and any questions should be directed to her via email alicyn.smart with the heading, "Fight Fusarium Assistantship".

Assistantships cover 20/hrs week; a laptop computer and shared graduate student office space will be provided in the Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (DRL); this position is covered by the USDA-NIFA, Specialty Crop Research Initiative, Standard Research and Extension Project grant.

This position is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the University of Maine System and UMGWU‑UAW. Additional information, contact details, and membership materials for UMGWU‑UAW are available at: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities.

The University provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies:
Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME , , TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

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Final date to receive applications:
October 16st, 2026

Notification date:
November 15th, 2026

Desired position start date:
January 19, 2027, or as arranged.