Senior Biological Scientist
The Citrus Research and Education Center is a unit of the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), Agricultural Experiment Station System and is the largest off-campus facility of the University of Florida. The CREC is located near Winter Haven, about 45 miles southwest of Orlando and 50 miles east of Tampa, central to one of the largest citrus producing areas of the world. Recreational facilities, modern schools, excellent hospitals, a 2-year community college in Winter Haven, and two State Universities with campuses in Lakeland, Tampa, and Orlando are nearby. The CREC is an internationally recognized research center with research, extension and teaching programs in biotechnology, horticulture, agricultural engineering, entomology and Nematology, plant pathology, physiology and biochemistry, post-harvesting, soil science, water management, fresh fruit handling and processing. The Center has a staff of 200 people comprised of over 40 faculty members from both the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Department of Citrus and is home to one of the largest repositories of comprehensive citrus information in the world.
Description
The UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center located in Lake Alfred, Florida, seeks a Senior Biological Scientist to assist in conducting research on bacterial pathogens of Florida citrus. The research focus will be on isolation and growth of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal agent of Huanglongbing of citrus, in culture and in identification and evaluation of the nutritional requirements for this pathogen. Desired skills include proficiency with techniques in microbiology and plant pathology including preparation of inoculum and culture media, aseptic manipulation of cultures, DNA extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, centrifugation, filtration, and microscopy. Duties will also include participation in other ongoing projects such as mechanisms of pathogen transmission, systematic and phylogenetic analyses of the pathogen, and molecular genetics of the insect-vector/plant/pathogen interactions.
Responsibilities
The individual selected for this position will conduct experiments on axenic culture of the Huanglongbing pathogen. Responsibilities will include: (1)Contribute to the planning of experiments; (2)Preparation of culture media, preparation of inoculum from plant or insect vector extracts, inoculation of media, transfer of cultures, and maintenance of stock cultures; (3)Detection of Liberibacter in culture by PCR, and cloning and sequencing of DNA; (4)Recording experimental results, interpretation and documentation of research results by preparing reports and manuscripts; (5) Maintenance laboratory supplies, preparation of solutions and reagents for use in the laboratory, and assistance with supervision of laboratory and field personnel.
Required Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in microbiology, plant pathology or a closely related field and three years of appropriate experience. Appropriate college coursework may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience. Masters degrees in plant pathology or microbiology are preferred. Experience in microbial physiology, and molecular biology are highly preferred.
Compensation
Expected starting salary range is $34,744.32 to $38,210.03 annually; commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits of exempt university staff include availability of health- care and supplemental insurances, retirement-plan options, and paid vacation, sick leave and holidays.
Application
To view application instructions and complete an online resume, please visit http://jobs.ufl.edu . Please refer to requisition number #0704971. Deadline to apply is March 13, 2007. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call (352) 392-4621 or the Florida Relay System at 1-800-955-8771 (TDD). An Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. Questions concerning this position can be directed to mjdavis@ufl.edu.
