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Plant Pathology Postdoctoral Usda Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Louisiana State University

Postdoctoral Researcher (2-year) Position Type:Other Academic Department ... LSUAG PL1 - DPPCP - Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology (Madison Flasco (00086583)) Work Location:

LSU AgCenter

Postdoctoral Researcher (2-year) Position Type:Other Academic Department ... LSUAG PL1 - DPPCP - Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology (Madison Flasco (00086583)) Work Location:

The Pennsylvania State University

POSITION SPECIFICS The Pennsylvania State University Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar to conduct research on plant ...

Tamus

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Uvalde, TX · On-site

D. in Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology or Agronomy Ability to work ... in the USDA NIFA SCRI onion project Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others ...

Louisiana Workforce Commission

Postdoctoral Researcher (2-year) Position Type:Other Academic Department ... LSUAG PL1 - DPPCP - Plant Pathology and Crop Physiology (Madison Flasco (00086583)) Work Location:

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Plant Pathology Postdoctoral Usda information

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$25K

$59K

$83.5K

How much do plant pathology postdoctoral usda jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant pathology postdoctoral usda in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Plant Pathology Postdoctoral USDA vs Plant Pathologist?

AspectPlant Pathology Postdoctoral USDAPlant Pathologist
Required CredentialsPh.D. in Plant Pathology or related fieldMaster's or Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field sites, USDA facilitiesResearch institutions, government agencies, agricultural companies
Employer & Industry UsageUSDA research programs, federal governmentGovernment agencies, academia, private sector
Common Search & Comparison IntentResearch roles, postdoctoral opportunitiesProfessional roles, career advancement

While both roles focus on plant disease research, the Plant Pathology Postdoctoral USDA is a temporary research position aimed at gaining experience within USDA programs, often requiring a Ph.D. and emphasizing research in federal settings. A Plant Pathologist is a more permanent professional role involved in diagnosing, managing, and researching plant diseases across various organizations, with similar educational requirements but broader responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Plant Pathology Postdoctoral USDA researcher, and why are they important?

A Plant Pathology Postdoctoral USDA researcher needs a Ph.D. in plant pathology or a related field, with expertise in experimental design, molecular biology, and data analysis. Experience with laboratory techniques such as PCR, microscopy, sequencing platforms, and statistical software (e.g., R or SAS) is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, scientific communication skills, and the capacity to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams are highly valued. These skills are crucial for advancing plant disease research, generating impactful scientific findings, and supporting the USDA's mission to promote agricultural health.

What types of research projects and collaborations can a Plant Pathology Postdoctoral Researcher at the USDA expect to be involved in?

As a Plant Pathology Postdoctoral Researcher at the USDA, you can expect to participate in a variety of research projects focused on understanding and managing plant diseases affecting agricultural crops. These projects often involve both laboratory and field work, utilizing molecular, genetic, and ecological approaches. Collaborations are common with scientists from different USDA divisions, universities, and sometimes industry partners, fostering a multidisciplinary environment. Additionally, you may have opportunities to contribute to grant writing, mentor interns or students, and present findings at scientific conferences, which can be valuable for professional development.

What is a Plant Pathology Postdoctoral position at the USDA?

A Plant Pathology Postdoctoral position at the USDA is a temporary research role for individuals who have recently earned a PhD in plant pathology or a related field. These postdocs work with USDA scientists to study plant diseases, improve crop resilience, and develop sustainable agricultural practices. Their responsibilities often include designing experiments, analyzing data, publishing results, and collaborating with other researchers. The goal is to advance scientific knowledge and develop practical solutions to plant health challenges impacting agriculture.
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Plant Pathology Postdoctoral Usda jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Pathology Postdoctoral Usda job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Nights. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station

College Station, TX • Hybrid

$4.1K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,166.67 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

AboutTexas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research

  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University

  • Texas A&M Forest Service

  • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As thenation'slargestmostcomprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System.With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Clickhereto learn more about howyoucan be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

PositionInformation

The Antony-Babu laboratory seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to lead the field pathology and pathogen genomics of a project building predictive tools for cotton soil-borne disease management. The work is supported through a cooperative agreement with USDA-ARS and is conducted in collaboration with the USDA-ARS Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center (Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research Unit).This is a field scientist's role with full ownership of the genomics that flows from it. You will take the major cotton soil-borne pathogens from field and greenhouse experimentation through isolate sequencing, hybrid genome assembly, comparative and population genomics, and diagnostic-tool development, and you will publish the resulting population-ecology and disease biology. The position works alongside a Ph.D. student across the whole project. We are looking for someone who is independent in field-based research and in molecular bioinformatics, and who sees genome data and disease ecology as one continuous line of work rather than separate specialties.

Research Focus
You will lead the field pathology and pathogen genomics: design and run field and greenhouse pathogen experiments, drive the isolate-to-assembly-to-diagnostic-assay pipeline, and lead population-ecology and disease publications built on that genomic work.

Responsibilities:

  • Design and execute field and controlled-environment pathology experiments, including inoculum-density gradient studies; direct undergraduate research interns during field-sampling campaigns.
  • Lead hybrid (Oxford Nanopore + Illumina) sequencing, assembly, and annotation of pathogen genomes; conduct comparative and population genomics to characterize spatial/temporal structure, virulence, and effector variation, and to identify diagnostic target regions.
  • Translate genomic targets into field-deployable molecular diagnostics (LAMP), with quantitative cross-validation by droplet digital and real-time PCR.
  • Contribute to the host-microbiome analyses (GWAS/mGWAS, metagenomics) and the integrative modeling led by the graduate student.
  • Apply machine-learning and AI-assisted tools in genome analysis, population and disease-ecology work, and pipeline development, with attention to reproducibility and validation of results.
  • Develop reproducible bioinformatic pipelines on Texas A&M HPRC resources; prepare data, figures, and first- and co-authored manuscripts.
  • Maintain accurate lab records in both digital and hardcopy form, and ensure up-to-date lab safety documentation.
  • Lead and co-author manuscripts in scientific journals; assistance may also be sought in drafting extension documents.
  • Mentor the graduate students and interns.
  • Collaborate with USDA-ARS scientists.

Required Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. (in hand by start date) in plant pathology, microbiology, microbial/molecular genomics, agronomy/crop science with a pathology focus, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated field and/or greenhouse experimental experience in plant pathology or a closely related discipline.
  • Demonstrated bioinformatics capability: microbial/fungal genome assembly and annotation, comparative or population genomics, command-line work in a Linux/HPC environment, and scripting in at least one of Python, R, or Bash.
  • Hands-on molecular biology (DNA extraction, library preparation, PCR/qPCR).
  • Experience handling Oxford Nanopore (ONT) sequence data.
  • A record of scientific productivity appropriate to career stage and strong written and oral communication.
  • As a field-demanding position, a current driver's license is required. The laboratory works with machine-learning and AI-assisted tools as part of routine research practice. Prior formal experience is not required, but candidates are expected to use these tools in their work and to develop fluency with them on the job, with a strong emphasis on reproducibility and validation.
  • Experience with soil-borne pathogens of cotton or other row crops (fungal and nematodes).
  • Population genomics, microbiome analysis, or diagnostic assay (LAMP/qPCR/ddPCR) development.
  • Field-trial design and prior mentoring or supervisory experience.

Additional Requirements:

  • Ability to obtain a valid US driver's license.
  • Initial one-year appointment, renewable up to four years contingent on performance and funding.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Aseptic microbiology: both conceptual and demonstrable technical knowledge.
  • Microbial culture of bacteria and fungi; ability to grow microorganisms in pure culture and in interaction studies, including the soil-borne pathogens central to this project.
  • A deep understanding of the microbial species concept is mandatory, and is expected to inform the pathogen population-genomics and diagnostic work.
  • Ability to collect phenotypic data from plants (healthy, infected, and infested) in field and greenhouse settings.
  • Fast learner and self-starter, able to work independently.
  • Meticulous record-keeping and a detail-oriented approach.
  • Knowledge of laboratory maintenance and equipment.
  • Ability to multi-task and to work cooperatively with others across internal and external collaborations.
  • Experience in handling ONT data is required, and hands-on experience in running the Oxford Nanopore sequencer is desirable.
  • Experience in high-throughput culturomics is desirable.
  • Experience in, or interest in, laboratory automation will be an advantage.

Equipment used to perform the essential duties of this position:

Computer - 5 to10 hours/week

PCR machine - 5 to 10 hours/week

Sequencer - 5 to 10 hours/week

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose toworkfor Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit packageincluding the following:

  • Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurancewith Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

  • 12-15 days of annual paid holidays

  • Up to eight hours of paid sick leaveand at leasteight hours of paid vacation each month

  • Automatic enrollment in theTeacher Retirement System of Texas

  • Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

ApplicantInstructions

Applications received by Texas A&MAgriLifemust either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

RequiredDocuments

CV/ Resume

Cover letter

List of references

Certifications/additional documentation

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

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