Fellow (Post Doc)

Kansas State University, Department of Plant Pathology in Manhattan, KS is seeking applicants for a postdoctoral fellow to work with the labs of Kelsey Andersen Onofre and Sanzhen Liu on a USDA supported project related to the fungal pathogens causing common bunt and dwarf bunt in wheat. We aim to characterize their genomes and genetic diversity to better understand these important wheat diseases and develop robust molecular diagnostic assays. Strong computational skills in bioinformatics with understanding of the biology of plant pathogenic fungi are necessary.

Key duties will include:

1) Lead the analysis of genomic data from wheat fungal pathogens
2) Develop and test biological hypotheses based on genomic data
3) Develop and document data analyzing pipelines
4) Summarize and interpret data and results to develop manuscripts and scientific presentations
5) Work collaboratively with the project team.

Self-guidance and resourcefulness are necessary qualities for success in the position. Starting salary will commensurate with past experience.

The Department of Plant Pathology at Kansas State University comprises a large and varying group of scientists with excellent reputations in research, teaching, and extension. Our strengths are in applied plant pathology, microbiology, biosecurity, disease diagnosis, management, host-parasite resistance genetics, pathogen and microbe genetics and genomics, genomics and biotechnology. Additional information can be found at http://www.plantpath.k-state.edu. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, KS, in the scenic tallgrass prairies of the Flint Hills of NE Kansas. Manhattan is 125 miles west of Kansas City and 50 miles west of Topeka. Kansas State University is the nation's first land-grant institution and currently enrolls ~24,000 students. Check the local Convention & Visitors Bureau website (http://www.manhattancvb.org/) for more information.

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:

• PhD in Plant Pathology, Plant Science, Microbiology, Genetics, Bioinformatics or related field
• Experience with bioinformatics
  The degree requirement is necessary to ensure candidates possess the specialized knowledge, skills and abilities that can only be attained through a formal educational program at this level.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with command-line data analysis and programming languages R or Python
• Experience with genome assembly and comparative genomics
• Experience working with a high performance computing cluster
• Experience with fungal biology
• Experience with molecular marker or diagnostic marker discovery

Sponsorship eligibility:

This position is eligible for sponsorship

Please submit the following documents:

• Letter of interest
• Curriculum Vitae
• Name, phone number, and email for three professional references

Applications close on:March 15, 2026

$50,000 - $60,000