Postdoctoral Scholar

The Pennsylvania State University
remote work
United States, Pennsylvania, University Park
201 Old Main (Show on map)
Aug 06, 2025
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants. This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the termlengthdiscussed willbebasedonuniversityneed,performance,and/oravailabilityoffunding. POSITION SPECIFICS TheKantor lab inPenn State University's Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology seeks onePostdoctoral Scholar to design, conduct, and analyze a comparative greenhouse host-range test of Litylenchus crenatae spp. mccanii(Lcm) nematode on native host species. The scholar will explore if any other North American native trees besides beech are hosts for the beech leaf nematode andwill generate comparison data on resistance to beech leaf nematode. The Postdoctoral Scholar will have priority tasks in the following areas: Independent experimental design, implementation, analysis, time management, and reporting. Various experimental tasks, including but not limited to sample collection, nematode DNA extraction, PCR and qPCR, nematode identification, and counts. Will collect samples, extract, and sterilize Lcm nematodes from leaves and buds. Will conduct greenhouse tree inoculations with Lcm. Evaluate the impact of Lcm nematodes on inoculated trees. Data collection, data analysis, statistics, and different microscopy techniques. Synthesize data, prepare scientific manuscripts, and present research results at local and national scientific conferences. Assistance with lab management and ongoing nematology,microbiology, and molecular biology experiments, as assigned. Assist in training research technicians and undergraduate researchers when appropriate. Gain experience in grant project management. This position requires a PhD in nematology (preferred), forestry, plant pathology, microbiology, microbial ecology, or a related field. Competitive candidates must have significant experience working with plant-parasitic nematodes, greenhouse, and sequence analysis, along with excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (both oral and written). Application materials should include a single pdf with (i) a cover letter summarizing relevant experience and reasons for interest in the job, (ii) a CV that includes contact information for at least three references (name, position, telephone number, and e-mail address). This position is funded until September 30th, 2026, and is contingent on the availability of funds. Please contact mpk6148@psu.edufor additional information. BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. BENEFITS Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. 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