Research Assistant

Research Assistant

The Potnis Lab in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University is seeking a highly motivated individual to provide professional research assistance in the area of plant microbiomes. The successful candidate will join a team (currently a postdoc, graduate students and undergraduate students) that contributes to multiple projects on plant-microbe interactions. The successful candidate will work on an interdisciplinary research project, funded by USDA-Sustainable Agricultural Systems, and work collaboratively with the team members. The goal of this project is to develop sustainable approaches for controlled environmental agriculture. The individual will have opportunity to work with plant biologist, engineers, breeders, economist, and extension faculty. This is a two-year limited term position with the possibility of annual extensions depending on performance and funding. Applicant must be able to work both independently and with others within a research team and have excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.

The University: Classified as a Carnegie R1 university, Auburn University is a public flagship land-grant institution with a student enrollment of more than 30,000. The University provides instruction in approximately 70 academic departments and performs graduate research and public service across a variety of program areas. The University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama, near the metropolitan areas of Birmingham, AL, and Atlanta, GA, as well as within 4 hours of scenic escapes like the southern Appalachians and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Department: The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology is administered by the University's historic College of Agriculture. It houses over 20 faculty, 5 support staff, and more than 50 graduate students, all of whom work towards executing the University's research, instruction, and extension missions. Additional information can be found at http://enpp.auburn.edu.

The Laboratory: Potnis lab, also known as Molecular Ecology lab, currently consists of three graduate students, one post-doc, one research associate, and undergraduate students. We work on understanding the intricate interactions among host, microbes and environment to develop sustainable solutions to manage disease outbreaks. Additional information can be found at https://nehapotnis.wixsite.com/potnislab/home

Essential functions:

* Conducting and assisting the growth chamber experiments related to plant-associated microbiomes and their role in stress tolerance in plants

* Presenting the research updates at the team meetings

* Writing and compiling the data and assisting in the manuscript preparations

* Assisting other team members in their greenhouse/growth chamber experiments, or field sampling

Level I: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Microbiology, Plant Sciences, Biology, or related natural or social sciences field; no experience required.

Level II: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Microbiology, Plant Sciences, Biology, or related natural or social sciences field and 2 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position.

Level III: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Microbiology, Plant Sciences, Biology, or related natural or social sciences field and 4 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position.

Advanced degrees may substitute for years of experience.

Applicant must be able to work both independently and with others within a research team and have excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.

A valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to employment.

AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/ EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. The Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/ EEO) strives to ensure an inclusive and equitable working, living, and learning environment for members of the Auburn University community. Please visit their website to learn more.