Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Description:

A Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is available as part of the USDA-funded project “Ionomics of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa: The role of trace elements and nutrients in infection and progression of disease.” The hypothesis of this work is that the bacterium X. fastidiosa is a scavenger of minerals that are essential to the plant host. By capturing these minerals, the bacterium deprives the host of important nutrients, therefore compromising plant growth and/or development. The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for overseeing and performing experiments related to the biochemistry of mineral nutrition in biofilm formation in the phytopathogen X. fastidiosa and complementary studies looking at the mineral content of host plants. This represents an opportunity for diverse experiences in analytical biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, and nanotechnology. Some of the analytical approaches that will be used include ICP-OES, microfluidic chambers, experiments with greenhouse plants, and bacterial molecular biology. This project is a joint effort between Leonardo De La Fuente (Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology) and Paul Cobine (Department of Biological Sciences) at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. We are looking for a self-motivated person interested in the advancement of scientific knowledge of plant pathogens. The successful candidate will work within a collaborative and multi-disciplinary environment. The position is currently open, with a preference for immediate start, and will remain open until filled.

Requirements:

A Ph.D. degree in Plant Pathology, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline is required. Experience in molecular, analytical, and/or microscopy techniques are desired but not required. Strong communication skills in English and the ability to work as part of a team are essential for the successful candidate. The candidate should be able to perform scientific experiments independently and write scientific papers.

How to Apply:

The candidate should submit a letter indicating research interests and career goals, a curriculum vitae, and contact information (e-mail, phone number) of three references. The requested information should be sent to Dr. Leonardo De La Fuente (lzd0005@auburn.edu; Tel. (334) 844-2582) and/or Dr. Paul Cobine (pac0006@auburn.edu; Tel. (334) 844-1661).