Research Associate

About This Role

The Liu laboratory in the Plant Pathology department at Kansas State University seeks a highly motivated candidate interested in research projects related to fungal genetics and genomics. The ideal candidate is expected to have excellent technical skills in molecular biology, fungal culture, fungal genetic manipulation, and fungal cytology. Specifically, the position will lead the study of the molecular mechanisms for genomic dynamics in the plant pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. The Liu Lab is currently supported by both the NSF, USDA, and DOE on research projects, including plant disease resistance, plant regeneration, and genomic analysis for both plants and pathogens.

About Us

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.

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.

Worksite Description

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.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a master's degree in plant pathology, molecular biology, fungal genetics, or related fields and two years of relevant experience.
  
  Education beyond the minimum degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager. The degree requirement ensures candidates possess advanced research skills, data analysis expertise and scientific writing ability in order to independently execute complex research tasks, interpret findings and contribute to scholarly publications. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and intensive experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in fungal genetics and molecular biology
• Demonstrated publication record in peer-reviewed journals
• Demonstrated experience in fungal cytology

Sponsorship eligibility:

This position is eligible for sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

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

Application Window

Applications close on: October 15, 2026

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$54,000 - $56,000