New

Research Associate - Entomology and Plant Pathology

North Carolina State University

$59,000 - $62,000

life insurance, flexible benefit account, paid time off

United States, North Carolina, Raleigh

Sep 04, 2025

Posting Information

Posting Number	PG194214EP
Internal Recruitment	No
Working Title	Research Associate - Entomology and Plant Pathology
Anticipated Hiring Range	$59,000 - $62,000
Work Schedule	Monday - Friday / 8am - 5pm
Job Location	Raleigh, NC
Department	Entomology and Plant Pathology
About the Department	As part of the Land Grant University, the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University is composed of over 40 faculty that direct a various portfolio of programs in teaching, research, and extension. Collectively, these strengths not only serve our clientele and our science but also provide a rich environment for graduate education and training that can be tailored to the specific career interests of the student, irrespective of whether they prefer training in the basic sciences or are preparing for a career in extension. Our education and research programs provide graduate and undergraduate students with unique hands-on learning opportunities using the latest technologies. Entomology and Plant Pathology houses the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, the Larry Grand Mycological Herbarium, Micropropagation and Repository Unit, Structural Pest Management Training Facility, an Insect Museum with 1.9 million vouchered insects, and the Center for Integrated Fungal Research. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses 12 Academic departments with 294 faculty, 2,891 undergraduate students and 899 graduate students. The College is home to 18 research stations strategically located across the state that enhances our interactions with our farmers, stakeholders, and industry partners. Our strategic plan, Growing Our Future 2023-2030 is accessible here https://units.cals.ncsu.edu/cals-strategic-plan/
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits	As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. What we offer: Medical, Dental, and Vision Flexible Spending Account Retirement Programs Disability Plans Life Insurance Accident Plan Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs 12 Holidays Each Year Tuition and Academic Assistance And so much more! Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community. Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties	The NC State Vegetable Pathology lab performs research on vegetable pathogen to improve disease management and it is in the state-of-the-art Plant Sciences Building in Centennial Campus at North Carolina State University. Our activities are split between research and extension, and our research is multi-disciplinary, ranging from field to genomic research. Flexibility, independence, good interpersonal skills with various stakeholders and colleagues, a desire to learn new things, and a strong passion for agriculture are valued skills in our lab. The Research Associate (RA) will be part of the senior staff in the lab along with other RAs and the PI. The RA will be mainly responsible for performing lab, greenhouse and field research with diseases of vegetable crops, particularly sweetpotato and cucurbit crops. The RA will have an approximate effort split of 50% Research, 30% Extension, 20% Management. The position requires some in-state and out of state overnight travel, plus in-state driving to research sites during work hours. Lab Activities Collaborate with lab personnel to obtain and maintain isolates. Phenotype and genotype plant pathogens. Perform microbiological and molecular biology tasks as needed. Support lab management through: Training and supervising lab staff. Ensuring lab safety compliance and completing inspections. Purchasing supplies, stocking materials, and maintaining equipment. Greenhouse and Field Activities Collaborate with greenhouse staff, research station personnel, lab colleagues, extension agents, grower cooperators, and private company partners. Conduct greenhouse and field experiments to evaluate: Disease control efficacy of fungicides. Performance of crop varieties. Research, Data, and Reporting Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data. Write reports, scientific publications, and extension materials. Present findings at scientific and extension conferences. Funding and Sustainability Assist with grant writing to secure research funding. Contribute to contract research to support lab financial stability.
Other Responsibilities	Obtain and maintain plant pathogen cultures needed to perform lab, greenhouse or field experiments and make inoculum as needed Independently secure space for field or greenhouse trials, plant, inoculate, rate for disease, spray fungicides, and harvest fruit as needed Actively communicate with research station personnel, greenhouse personnel, lab personnel, extension agents, grower cooperators, and private company cooperators to ensure success of lab, greenhouse or field experiments In collaboration with the PI, design experiments to address research objectives Independently generate and analyze data for projects Independently write reports and publications Present at scientific and extension conferences Assist with grant writing and contract research Assist with lab management by training and supervision of other lab staff, lab safety compliance and inspections, purchasing, stocking and maintenance of equipment

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required; for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant undergraduate degree and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.
Other Required Qualifications	Experience working with vegetable crops and/or microorganisms infecting them in field and laboratory settings including growing plants and microbes, taking care of plants and cultures, and sterile technique. Strong oral and written communication skills, experience giving oral presentations and writing scientific reports. Knowledgeable and ability to troubleshoot molecular biology techniques (DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR).
Preferred Qualifications	Laboratory management experience, including staff training/supervision, safety compliance/inspections, purchasing, inventory, and equipment maintenance. Hands-on experience working with sweetpotato and cucurbit pathogens across lab, greenhouse, and field settings. Skilled in data analysis using Geneious, R, or SAS. Experienced in applying fungicides via backpack sprayer and drip system. Demonstrated experience in using ARM software to manage field trials.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)	Must have valid North Carolina driver's license to drive to field experiments Must have a North Carolina Pesticide Applicator License to apply fungicides for greenhouse and field experiments
Valid NC Driver's License required	Yes
Commercial Driver's License required	No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date	09/03/2025
Anticipated Close Date	Open until filled.
Special Instructions to Applicants	Applicant required documents: Cover Letter, CV, Contact Information for References

Position Details

Position Number	00106069
Position Type	EPS/SAAO
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)	1.00
Appointment	12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather	Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events	Mandatory - Medical Emergencies
Department ID	111801 - Entomology and Plant Pathology
EEO	NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.