The department of Plant Pathology is seeking a motivated, independent, and organized Research Associate to assist with all aspects of field and lab management in the program of Dr. Rodrigo Onofre. The successful candidate will have experience in greenhouse assay development, design and implementation of field trials, pathogen culture maintenance, and plant disease diagnostics with molecular diagnostic approaches. Ability to travel to research locations as needed to survey for plant pathogens and collect research observations from field-based experiments.
Responsibilities include:
• Design experiments and adjust existing research protocols, data collection and analysis.
• Support field and greenhouse research programs including planting and harvesting of research plots, weekly visual assessments of disease throughout the growing season.
• Writing and drafting manuscripts and reports.
• Administrative responsibilities such as; coordinate purchasing and inventory for lab and field activities, organize purchasing receipts and manage Concur for the research team, work with accounting to help manage grant budgets, organize Extension activities.
The department of Plant Pathology studies plant health to understand life. Plants, animals, and microbes share common basic features. Research on plant genomics helps define gene function in other forms of life, even humans. Plants feed, clothe, and protect us. They provide energy for a variety of uses. They enhance the quality of our lives. They are crucial to our existence.
We foster excellence in research, teaching, extension, and service, and this has been recognized in our faculty awards and student awards.
We learn how plants and pathogens interact and how the environment affects that interaction. We modify plants so they can fight diseases and improve yield and quality. We transfer genes from wild plants to crop plants to increase genetic diversity. We study bacteria, fungi, nematodes and viruses; bioinformatics, biological control, biotechnology, disease diagnosis and management, disease physiology, ecology and epidemiology, host and microbial genetics and cytogenetics, modeling/statistics, molecular genetics, and molecular plant-microbe interactions. To learn more, https://www.plantpath.k-state.edu/.
This position is On-site.
All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Additional Role Information:
Sponsorship eligibility:
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship
Please submit the following documents:
1. Letter of Interest
2. CV or Resume
3. Name, email and phone number for 3 professional references
Applications close on:May 17, 2026
$50,000 - $70,000
Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.
Employees must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. International candidates who require employer-sponsored work authorization are welcome to apply. Eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on several factors, including but not limited to, the job’s occupational requirements, specific duties, wage level, the candidate’s qualifications (such as degree field) and available departmental resources. As a result, not all positions or applicants will be eligible for sponsorship.
Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements. An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.
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Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.
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