Research Associate

This is a limited-term position. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding.

Auburn University is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to support research activities in cotton genetics, molecular breeding, genomics, and crop improvement within the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences. The Research Associate will contribute to laboratory, greenhouse, and field-based research focused on understanding the genetic and molecular basis of important cotton traits and abiotic and biotic traits. The position will support multiple research projects involving plant breeding, molecular genetics, genomics, plant health, and related areas. The successful candidate will assist with experimental planning, data collection and analysis, manuscript writing, writing grant sections, and communicating research findings. The position may also require training and supervising students and other research personnel. This is an in-person position located in Auburn, Alabama.

• Develops and assists with research plans, experimental protocols, and methodologies related to cotton genetics, molecular breeding, genomics, disease resistance, pest resistance, nematode resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance.
• Assist in conducting laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber, and field experiments to evaluate cotton responses to diseases, insect pests, plant-parasitic nematodes, and environmental stresses.
• Performs molecular, genomic, transcriptomic, and phenotypic analyses to investigate genetic variation, gene expression, and biological mechanisms associated with stress resistance and tolerance.
• Establishes and maintains plant materials and experimental populations and assists with propagation, crossing, self-pollination, phenotyping, sample collection, treatment application, and other breeding-related activities.
• Collects, organizes, analyzes, visualizes, and interprets research data and maintains accurate experimental records, sample documentation, databases, inventories, and research materials.
• Contributes to literature reviews, research reports, presentations, manuscripts, grant proposals, and other scientific outputs and may train students or research personnel in laboratory, greenhouse, field, and data-analysis procedures.

• Master's Degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, Plant Pathology, or a closely related field.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:

• Experience in cotton genetics, breeding, or related areas, including molecular and gene-expression analyses.
• Experience designing and conducting greenhouse, growth chamber, or field experiments involving plant diseases, insect pests, nematodes, and/or abiotic stress responses.
• Experience with genomic, transcriptomic, phenotypic, or statistical data analysis and interpretation, including identification and evaluation of candidate genes.
• Experience with functional validation of candidate genes using approaches such as virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) or other plant functional genomics methods.

• Candidates must demonstrate strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to manage multiple research activities, effective written and verbal communication, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. 

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence:We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You:Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama:The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
• Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!