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If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

Business Title:

Employee Type:

The Opportunity:

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available in the Department of Plant Pathology at Washington State University (WSU) beginning January 4, 2027. The position will be based in Pullman, Washington, with extensive field work at WSU research stations and grower-cooperator fields in the irrigated potato production areas of the Columbia Basin in central Washington. This is a 12-month, full-time, temporary appointment with potential for renewal based on performance, programmatic need, and funding availability. The incumbent will plan and conduct replicated field trials to improve the understanding and management of potato diseases, with emphasis on integrated disease management, host resistance, and irrigation management. The incumbent is expected to design and conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, prepare reports, and write technical and scientific manuscripts for publication under the supervision of the program leader. In addition, the incumbent will be expected to:

1) participate in extension activities, including field days and grower meetings;

2) assist in securing extramural grants and preparing grant reports;

3) work as a team with scientists, industry representatives, extension specialists, and grower cooperators; and

4) mentor students and supervise technical and field personnel, as needed.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Faculty and Total Compensation. For information or questions about Benefits, please contact HRS Benefits at 509-335-4521.

Annual Salary: $62,232.00

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position.

This is a full time (100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible.

Appointment Duration: This is a temporary position expected to start on January 4, 2027 and end on December 30, 2027. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Required Requirements:

• An earned Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture, or a closely related field by the time of hire.
• Demonstrated experience in potato field research, including research trial disease assessment, potato cultivation, and irrigation management.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze experimental data and communicate research findings in writing, as evidenced by a doctoral dissertation, peer-reviewed publications, manuscripts submitted or in preparation, or technical or extension reports.
• Highly self-motivated, hardworking, and goal oriented.
• Ability and willingness to work in the field for long hours (frequently 10 or more hours per day during planting, the growing season, and harvest) in variable weather conditions, and to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to travel within Washington State, including overnight stays, during the field season and occasionally to potato trials or production fields in neighboring states.
• Ability to function within a team of faculty, staff, students, and growers with different backgrounds, and under pressure during time-sensitive field operations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Possess or obtain within six months of hire, a Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Public Operator pesticide license.
•  Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with potato diseases and their management in irrigated production systems.
• Experience with precision irrigation, ET-based irrigation scheduling, or development of decision-support tools for growers.
• Experience operating small-plot research equipment (e.g., tractors, plot planters, harvesters, and sprayers).
• Experience supervising students or field crews.
• Working knowledge of statistical software (e.g., R or SAS) and interest in developing skills in statistical modeling, meta-analysis, and economic analysis of disease management.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Plant Pathology Department:

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resources (CAHNRS)

Location: Pullman, WA

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

All candidates, documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Contact: For questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact Christine Cromar, prosser.personnel@wsu.edu.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Union Representation: This position is represented exclusively by Postdocs United/United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Information regarding the Union and the CBA is available on the WSU Labor Relations website.

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/