As the Scientific Assistant Senior, you will perform senior‑level field, greenhouse, and laboratory research in support of the Berry and Potato Pathology (BPP) Program and the Vegetable Seed Pathology (VSP) Program at Washington State University’s Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center (NWREC). In this role, you will help identify and define research problems, design experimental approaches and methods, and apply appropriate plant pathology research techniques, including plant pathogen inoculations and disease evaluations. You will accurately record and compile data, conduct robust statistical analyses, interpret results, and summarize findings in tables, graphs, reports, and publishable formats. You will work both independently and collaboratively as part of the BPP and VSP programs, perform molecular plant pathology laboratory techniques (including molecular identification of plant pathogens), supervise time‑slip employees and undergraduate and graduate interns, advise other program staff, mentor graduate students and technical staff, assist Postdoctoral Research Associates, and interact constructively with stakeholders and the WSU Mount Vernon NWREC community.

Due to the environments in which you will work, you must be willing to perform duties outdoors in a range of weather conditions and with a diversity of crops, plant pathogens, arthropod pests, and natural enemies. You must be willing to travel to field trial sites throughout Washington, including central Washington, and occasionally to other states, which may include overnight stays. You must also be willing to work in both conventional and organic agricultural production systems and to work with or in the vicinity of laboratory and agricultural chemicals, for which appropriate safety measures, equipment, and training will be provided.

Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions:

30% Research Experiment Design, Implementation, and Program Oversight
25% Experiment Documentation, Statistical Analyses, Research Publications, and Presentations
25% Laboratory, Greenhouse, and Field Equipment Operation
15% Supervision
5% Other Duties

Additional Information:

This is a full time (100% FTE), temporary position. Overtime eligibility will be determined based on final salary placement.

Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position that is renewed on an annual basis. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Monthly Salary: $5,139.79 - $7,872.33 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

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; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

A Master’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and four (4) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. A PhD in a scientific or engineering field may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required work experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis.
Experience with field, laboratory, and greenhouse research experiments in plant pathology and experience operating plant pathology laboratory and greenhouse instrumentation.
Experience in molecular laboratory techniques (including ELISA, DNA/RNA extraction, regular and real-time PCR assays, DNA or RNA sequencing for microbial identification, including multilocus sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis).
Experience with effective use of dissecting and compound microscopes.
Knowledge of fundamental plant pathology principles, and experience applying those principles in a research environment.
Experience carrying out research projects using appropriate experimental designs and techniques, within established protocols.
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.
A valid Washington State Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator’s license or willing and able to obtain within three months of hire.
Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
Effective communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills (written and oral), including demonstrated collaboration with coworkers and the public.
Ability to listen and effectively handle employee questions, concerns, and problems.
Evidence of quality research publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with plant pathology methods and research in small fruit, potato or vegetable seed crops, including seed quality assays and seed health testing.
Experience operating various types of farm machinery used in research, particularly plant pathology research.
Experience in diagnosis of plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes.
Experience with microscope photography.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

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

Department Name: Plant Pathology

WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center

Berry and Potato Pathology

Vegetable Seed Pathology Program

Location: Mount Vernon, 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.

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.

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.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

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/

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