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Plant Pathologist Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Master's or PhD in Plant Pathology or a related field Experience: * 3+ years of industry R&D experience with plant disease bioassays, including experimental design, data analysis, and presentation of ...

PhD with minimum 3 years of experience, or MS with minimum 10 years in Plant Pathology, Plant Breeding or related fields. Advance in domain expertise with a track record of developing and ...

... pathology or plant microbiology is required. An individual with a PhD in these areas is preferred. * An individual with a strong working knowledge and interest in propagation, nutrition, and ...

... PhD with 1 year of relevant experience in Plant Sciences or Agribusiness (agronomy, plant pathology, weed sciences, or closely related discipline). Employees can expect to be paid a salary of ...

$92K - $139K/yr

... PhD with 1 year of relevant experience in Plant Sciences or Agribusiness (agronomy, plant pathology, weed sciences, or closely related discipline). Employees can expect to be paid a salary of ...

Technical Service Manager

Concord, NC

$108K - $108K/yr

MS in Entomology, Plant Pathology/Physiology, Weed Science, Agronomy or other agricultural/related science or equivalent experience * PhD preferred Qualifications: * 2+ years of experience in ...

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Plant Pathologist Phd information

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$39.5K

$82.6K

$116K

How much do plant pathologist phd jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant pathologist phd in the United States is $82,578.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,500.00 and $83,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Plant Pathologist Phd vs Plant Disease Specialist?

AspectPlant Pathologist PhdPlant Disease Specialist
Required CredentialsPhD in Plant Pathology or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Plant Science or related field, often with specialized training
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, government agenciesFieldwork, laboratories, agricultural settings
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic, research institutions, government researchAgricultural companies, extension services, farms

The main difference between a Plant Pathologist Phd and a Plant Disease Specialist lies in their education level and focus. A Plant Pathologist Phd typically conducts advanced research and has a doctoral degree, while a Plant Disease Specialist often has a bachelor's or master's degree and focuses on diagnosing and managing plant diseases in practical settings. Both roles are vital in plant health management but differ in scope and work environment.

More about Plant Pathologist Phd jobs
What cities are hiring for Plant Pathologist Phd jobs? Cities with the most Plant Pathologist Phd job openings:
What states have the most Plant Pathologist Phd jobs? States with the most job openings for Plant Pathologist Phd jobs include:
Infographic showing various Plant Pathologist Phd job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,578 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Research Scientist I, Plant Pathologist

ProFarm

Davis, CA • On-site

$85K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

About the Company:
ProFarm is an agricultural technology company on a mission to improve the food we eat in a way that benefits the grower, the consumer, and the entire industry. Headquartered in Davis, California, with a global footprint spanning Michigan to Finland, we deliver field-proven, biological solutions for pest management and plant health. By bridging the gap between sustainability and profitability, ProFarm helps modern growers optimize crop yields while protecting the planet. Learn more and join our mission at ProFarm.com.
Summary:
The Plant Pathologist will provide day-to-day leadership in the design, planning, execution, analysis, and presentation of research on plant-microbe interactions and biological crop inputs, working within interdisciplinary teams of scientists. This role will also help implement novel molecular techniques and contribute to discovery and development efforts for biopesticides and biostimulants. We're looking for someone who takes initiative and brings creative, cutting-edge thinking to research questions.
Responsibilities
Core Responsibilities:
  • Design and execute bioassay experiments to advance understanding of plant-microbe interactions, at both small scale (lab) and large scale (greenhouse and field)
  • Develop, implement, and train others in fungal, oomycete, and bacterial pathosystems for screening new formulations
  • Work with diverse microbial plant pathogens, with a focus on fungal and oomycete pathogens such as Botrytis and Bremia
  • Apply experimental design optimized for downstream molecular work
  • Collaborate and communicate effectively within and across teams, supporting a small R&D group where agility between projects is essential

Good to Have:
  • Experience with DNA and RNA extractions from bacterial, fungal, plant, and insect tissues, including difficult-to-extract sample types
  • Sample analysis via PCR, gel electrophoresis, and qPCR
  • Microbial identification using sequencing or traditional methods
  • General microbiology and molecular biology techniques
  • Use and maintenance of standard molecular biology equipment

Team & Project Contribution:
  • Maintain microbial cultures and keep the lab clean and organized
  • Prepare test materials and assist other departments with bioassays and sample analysis
  • Stay current with relevant literature and contribute novel ideas for future research
  • Document work to a high standard of completeness and accuracy
  • Supervise interns or junior scientists in data generation and collection
  • Contribute to research team discussions, planning, and evaluation of results
  • Participate in regular team and long-term project planning
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications
Education:
  • Master's or PhD in Plant Pathology or a related field

Experience:
  • 3+ years of industry R&D experience with plant disease bioassays, including experimental design, data analysis, and presentation of results

Skills & Knowledge:
  • Strong knowledge of plant pathology, microbiology, and molecular biology
  • Proficiency with statistics, including ANOVA and non-linear regression
  • Experience with MS Office and statistical software such as JMP or R
  • Strong communication skills for working with scientists across diverse backgrounds and specializations
  • Ability to work independently and make day-to-day decisions
  • Ability to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and timelines
  • High attention to detail, with comfort working across interdisciplinary project teams
  • Comfort working in greenhouse and lab settings that may involve soil, dust, and plant material

Working Conditions
  • Primarily lab- and greenhouse-based, with extended periods at a desk and computer
  • Valid driver's license required for occasional travel between work sites (mileage compensated)
  • May be required to obtain and maintain a Qualified Applicator License/Certificate from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation

COMPENSATION:
  • ProFarm offers a comprehensive benefits package including a health plan, medical and dental coverage, life insurance coverage, long term disability and a flexible spending account for dependent care and/or medical expenses.
  • The above is a list of the essential duties and responsibilities for this position. This list is not all-inclusive and other duties may be assigned. This job description may be modified as needed.
  • ProFarm is an equal-opportunity employer. A pre-employment background check will be required.

The pay range for this role is:
85,000 - 100,000 USD per year (Davis)