Two Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Judith Brown, School of Plant Sciences. The successful applicant will bring knowledge and proficiency in molecular biology and molecular virology, virome characterization, functional genomics to investigate insect host/vector-plant pathogen interactions (viruses and fastidious bacteria), and bioinformatics tools for analyzing diverse data sets, including high throughput sequencing analyses.

The School of Plant Sciences is a vigorous, cutting-edge, and comprehensive academic unit of the University of Arizona, whose scientists are devoted to study of plants, and the organisms that underpin the survival of terrestrial life. We seek candidates that will strengthen current efforts by the University and the School of Plant Sciences to promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives on campus, and who will help to promote programs that seek to increase participation from traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Molecular cloning, DNA sequencing, and characterization of viral genomes and viromes (plant and soil).
• High throughput DNA and RNA sequencing and bioinformatics of RNA/DNA viral genome characterization
• Phylogenetic, population genetic, molecular clock, and recombination analyses
• Construction of infectious clones by Gibson assembly; gene gun and agro-inoculation and analysis
• Functional genomics – dual host pathogen and transcriptome analysis; dsRNA design and analysis
• Real-time quantitative PCR and droplet digital PCR analyses; microdissection and confocal microscopy
• Analysis of transgenic plants expressing ds/ssRNA and RNAi response challenged by plant virus infection or insect vector feeding
• Experimental design and protocol development and validation
• Detailed literature review
• Preparation of reports, manuscripts, and presentations to communicate results and conclusions
• Regular communications with PI and team members in person and written
• Additional opportunities may arise, such as training/mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and visiting scientists.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Successful applicants will bring advanced skills in plant molecular biology, molecular virology, cloning and characterization of ds/ssDNA and RNA viruses and viromes (phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses [Bayesian and other contemporary tools, population genetics; molecular clock analysis]; infectious clone construction (agro-and gene gun inoculation), dual host-pathogen interactions analysis (large and small RNAs; miRNAs).
• Knowledge and skills needed to carry out fundamental research of plant-virus & fastidious bacteria vector, applying reverse genetics, bioinformatics, and dissection/confocal microscopy applied to these diverse pathosystems is highly desirable.

• Ph.D. in plant virology, molecular plant pathology, viromics or equivalent upon hire.

• Ph.D. in plant pathology/virology research of DNA plant virus and/or fastidious bacterial-prophage-phage pathosystems; or Ph.D. specializing in dsDNA viruses and/or in plant ssDNA or RNA virus-host interactions.
• General bioinformatics skills and knowledge, applicable to plant-pathogen-insect pathosystems, and experience with insect RNAi are highly desirable.