Assistant Research Professor - Career Track
Washington State University

Online applications must be received before 12:00am on:

December 2, 2024

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):155-NN_FACULTY - Research Assistant Professor - CareerBusiness Title:Assistant Research Professor - Career TrackEmployee Type:Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)Position Term:12 MonthPosition Details:

Summary of Duties:

Responsibilities:

• Lead and participate in ongoing research efforts while developing independent projects. The successful candidate will be highly motivated and thrive in a collaborative environment with the lab, colleagues from the college, and collaborators from USDA ARS and other institutes.

• Lead whole genome assembly and annotation project of new apple and pear cultivars.

• Co-lead research on the absorption and metabolism of smoke compounds in grapes by integrating metabolomic and transcriptomic data.

• Develop a stable and robust gene family classification framework to enhance comparative genomic research within and beyond Rosaceae.

• Contribute to the development of a cultivar-agnostic predictions of pome fruit maturity using unsupervised deep learning techniques.

• Assist the Principle Investigator with lab management tasks, including organizing group meetings, supervising undergraduate and graduate students, budgeting, and ordering lab supplies.

• Presenting research findings through poster/oral presentation, as well as peer-reviewed publication.

• Engaged in grant writing and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D in Plant Biology

• Excellent bioinformatics skills, including whole genome assembly and annotation, comparative genomics, phylogenomics, targeted gene model re-annotation, transcriptome analysis, network science.

• Expertise in molecular biology techniques, including DNA, RNA isolation and quality control, protein synthesis and purification, PCR, cloning, plasmid isolation, and genetic modification of non-model plant organisms.

• Proven success in securing extramural funding, ideally from sources like the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission.

• Skilled in using high-performance computing systems and standalone Linux systems.

• Experience in applying machine learning and deep learning techniques to plant genomics.

• Experience in plant biomarker discovery.

• Strong problem-solving abilities and a capacity for learning new experimental techniques

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong publication record in plant genomics, transcriptomics, and machine learning, particularly in specialty crops such as tree fruits.

• Experience managing a research lab.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

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

Department Name:

Horticulture

City, State, Zip:

Pullman, WA 99164-6414

Department Link:

horticulture.wsu.edu

Annual Salary:

$80,000.00 - $85,000.00

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.

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 and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf.

Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.

Overtime Eligibility:

This position is not eligible for overtime

FTE:

100%

Temporary End Date:

This is a temporary, career track position expected to end on December 31, 2025. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Posting Close Date:

Applicants must submit their completed application by December 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

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.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. External candidates, please upload all documents in the "Resume/CV" section of your application. Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the "Resume/Cover Letter" section of your application.

Required Documents:

1. Research Statement: a brief (1-2 pages) research statement addressing your research focus and methodologies, as well as the broader social applications of your research and/or impact on communities;

2. Statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that addresses your DEI values and philosophy, examples of how you have engaged in DEI, and how you anticipate engaging in DEI if offered the position (maximum of one (1) page, single spaced);

3. Current curriculum vitae;

4. Electronic copies of graduate program academic transcripts;

5. Names and contact information for three (3) professional references. Reference letters will be requested for the selected finalists.

Time Type:Full timeWASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.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-DiscriminationWSU prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates complaint with Title IX. Inquiries regarding Title IX and reports of sex discrimination can be directed to the WSU Title IX Coordinator. More information on WSU's policies and procedures to respond to discrimination and harassment are available here: Nondiscrimination statement.

---