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Postdoctoral Research Associate in Fusarium Genomics, Detection, and Host Range

Position Overview

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a multidisciplinary project investigating a newly recognized Fusarium-associated disease of cold-hardy grapevines in the northern United States. The project integrates fungal genomics, plant pathology, molecular diagnostics, host-range studies, and grower surveys to advance understanding and management of this emerging disease.

This is a full-time UNH appointment based at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Cereal Crops Research Unit in Madison, Wisconsin. The successful candidate will work with Xiaochen Yuan (UNH), Kristi Gdanetz MacCready (USDA-ARS), and Suzanne Slack (UNH).

Appointment Details

• Anticipated start date: January 4, 2027.
• Appointment length: One year initially, with the possibility of renewal for a second year contingent upon performance, continued funding, and project needs.
• Primary work location: Madison, Wisconsin.
• Travel: Approximately three short visits per year to Durham, New Hampshire, for research meetings, training, or project activities.
• Eligibility: This opportunity is open to U.S. citizens only. Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of the required background investigation and/or fingerprint check and the ability to meet Tier 2 (T2) background investigation requirements for work at a federal research facility.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Assemble, annotate, and analyze Fusarium genomes and conduct comparative genomic analyses across species and strains.
• Conduct host-range experiments involving grapevine, barley, wheat, maize, oats, and ryegrass.
• Investigate relationships between Fusarium populations associated with grapevines and cereal crops.
• Assist with a regional survey of cold-hardy grape growers across the northern United States.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of PCR- and high-resolution melting-based diagnostic tools.
• Support studies of fungicide sensitivity and pruning or wound-management practices.
• Prepare manuscripts, reports, presentations, and extension materials, and present findings at scientific conferences, grower meetings, and extension events.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers as appropriate.
• Collaborate with project partners across participating institutions.

Required Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Mycology, Biology, Genomics, or a closely related field by the appointment start date. Candidates expecting to complete their Ph.D. by December 2026 are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated research experience in one or more of the following areas: fungal genomics, molecular diagnostics, fungal pathogens, plant–microbe interactions, or comparative genomics.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Willingness and ability to participate in laboratory, greenhouse, field, and grower-oriented research.
• Ability to meet the federal facility access and background investigation requirements described above.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:

• Biology, taxonomy, phylogenetics, or population genomics of Fusarium or related fungal pathogens.
• Whole-genome sequencing, genome assembly and annotation, pangenome analysis, comparative genomics, or genome-wide association studies.
• Bioinformatics workflows using Linux, high-performance computing systems, Python, R, or related tools.
• Plant disease diagnostics, HRM analysis, or molecular assay development.
• Disease research involving grapes, cereal crops, or other specialty crops.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated annual salary is $60,000–$65,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision plan options; life and long-term disability insurance; retirement plan options; and paid time off, subject to university policies and eligibility requirements.

Applicant Instructions: 

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the My Experience: Resume/CV section of the application: (Maximum of 5 Documents - If more than 5 documents are required, upload additional documents within the Application Questions section.)

• A cover letter describing their research background, technical expertise, and interest in the position.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A brief research statement describing experience relevant to fungal genomics, host-range experiments, plant pathology, bioinformatics, or grower-oriented research.
• Contact information for three professional references.
• Copies of transcripts.

Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.

Review of applications will begin two weeks after the posting date and continue until the position is filled.

Please be advised that this position is supported by external sponsor funding. As such, continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of those external funds. If, for any reason, the sponsor funding is reduced or discontinued, employment may be subject to modification or termination in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. 

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

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