Undergraduate Research Position – Forest Pathology Lab

Hiring Organization: Department of Forestry, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
Employment type: Seasonal
Application Due Date: April 17, 2023

Undergraduate Research Position Available Now in the Forest Pathology Lab, Department of Plant, Soil & Microbial Sciences and the Department of Forestry.

Position Description

The Sakalidis Lab is seeking a motivated undergraduate researcher to assist with laboratory and field studies for the 2023 summer (May-August). If performance is satisfactory, the research assistant would be invited to continue in subsequent semesters. We work on a range of nursery, landscape and forest tree diseases such as oak wilt, spruce decline, Phytophthora root rot, chestnut and white pine health issues.

Required Qualifications

1. Reliable

2. Attention to detail

3. Good communication skills

4. Commitment to completing work with a high level of initiative, skill and professionalism

5. Ability to work well independently and in a team environment

Desirable Skills

1. Coursework in Plant Sciences; plant pathology/microbiology/biotechnology etc.

2. Previous lab experience in molecular biology (DNA extraction and PCR, especially)

3. At least one full day a week free for lab work

4. A valid driver’s license

Working conditions

This position will be lab based with the potential for some greenhouse and field work. Activities could include pathogen isolation, DNA extraction, media preparation, pathogen culture collection and maintenance, and molecular work such as DNA extraction, and PCR. Field work may involve activities such as sample collection, tree inoculation, data collection and data entry.