Postdoctoral Research Associate I

An exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher is available in the School of Plant sciences at the University of Arizona. This full-time (1.0 FTE) Postdoctoral Research Associate I will work on applied field research projects that focus on disease management. The successful candidate will be involved in several applied pathology projects such as disease survey and pathogen characterization and field trials to improve disease management. Research will be based in the Extension Plant Pathology laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Alex Hu.

This position is a year-to-year contracted position, however depending on work performance and funding this position may last up to 4/30/2026.

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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• Plan and conduct field plot trials on disease control. Activities include experimental design, prepare treatment solution, treatment application, disease rating, collect and process research samples and data according to written protocols; perform data entry and analysis; assist in report preparation and presentation of results.
• Travel across several counties in the central and southern Arizona is required to field research trial sites. It may take 1-4 hours highway driving and possible overnight stay.
• Conduct routine Laboratory experiments using basic microbiology and molecular biology techniques. Activities include pathogen isolation, identification, cataloging and storage of pathogen specimens. DNA/RNA extraction, quantification, and PCR. Develop, manage, and maintain laboratory protocols.
• The position will also be responsible for a range of tasks related to lab management, including training and supervision of other lab staff, lab safety compliance and inspections, purchasing, and stocking and maintenance of equipment, supplies, and chemical reagents.
• Participate in routine discussions with the PI.
• Perform other duties as necessary: conduct literature searches and prepare journal article manuscript, project report, and grant proposal; participate in extension workshops and presentations, present research results at scientific and/or grower meetings; provide training for undergraduate and graduate student workers. This includes planning, assigning, and approving work, as well as coordinating work schedules and delegating tasks in the field/laboratory.
• Additional duties may be assigned.

Knowledge, skill and abilities:

• Familiarity with symptoms of major diseases on vegetables, fruit nut trees, cotton and grapevine.
• Acquire pesticide applicator's license within 6 months of hire date, if do not already possess.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and to delegate to others.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn and follow scientific protocols.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to maintain a clean working environment.
• Skilled in making buffers, media preparation, centrifugation, pipetting, and weighing.
• Ability to search for and read scientific literature pertinent to job.

• PhD in Plant Pathology, Horticultural sciences or Agronomy by time of hire
• Six years research experience appropriate to the area of assignment; Or any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education approved by Human Resources.
• Must have a valid Type D driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy

• Field experience with disease rating with a visual scale.
• Experience with fungal and bacterial pathogen isolation and pathogenicity test.
• Experience with Microsoft Office suite, data entering, record keeping, and SAS or similar statistical analysis platforms.
• Experience giving oral presentations and writing scientific reports.

Jiahuai Hu

Associate Professor

epp@arizona.edu