CALS- Technician III- School of Integrative Plant Science- Plant Pathology Section

Technician III

The Opportunity

As a university founded to be a place where any person can find instruction in any study inclusion and belonging are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming caring healthy and equitable community where students faculty and staff with different backgrounds perspectives abilities and experiences can learn innovate and work in an environment of respect and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion belonging and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role behaviors and actions impact the success of this culture.

While position responsibilities vary greatly the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Successare foundational to what is expected ofevery employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

About the College

The CALS School of Integrative of Plant Science (SIPS) encompasses five fields: Horticulture Plant Biology Plant Breeding & Genetics Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology and Soil and Crop Sciences. Combined there are 100 faculty 200 undergraduate majors 200 graduate students in six fields and 600 other employees located in Ithaca Geneva and other satellite locations across New York State. The School offers the multidisciplinary undergraduate major in the Plant Sciences and is also home to the Agricultural Sciences major. School faculty also contribute to the Biology Global Development and Viticulture & Enology majors.

We are making new scientific discoveries about the interactions between plants and microbes and developing innovative solutions to address the challenges of 21st century agriculture across the globe. We offer students and postgraduate scholars unparalleled opportunities to study the origins and consequences of plant diseases. At the same time we provide essential information to decision-makers including agriculture producers educators policymakers home gardeners and local communities.

The primary research goal of the Casteel lab is to identify the functions of microbes in plant-insect interactions and elucidate the key molecular mechanisms responsible for these relationships. We also study beneficial and pathogenic microbes that are associated with plants climate change and the effects of organic farming on soil microbiome biodiversity and ecosystem function. The Casteel laboratory consists of approximately 2500sqft of lab space in a collaborative research laboratory in the Plant Sciences Building. All standard molecular biology and chemical ecology equipment for working with plants and microbes is available in the lab. The Casteel Lab has exclusive use of an additional growth facility in the basement of Bradfield Hall for work with pathogens rearing insects and conducting insect-microbe experiments. These rooms were designed with input from APHIS and BRS specifically for virus insects and vectored pathogen work. The facility is divided into 4 spaces with over 1000sqft of growth space.

Our lab is in gorgeous Ithaca NY. Situated in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York Ithaca has an ample waterfront fed by over local 150 waterfalls excellent fall color hiking and water trails. The downtown area of Ithaca boasts a pedestrian mall featuring locally owned businesses world renowned vegan and vegetarian dining and a year-round farmers market. The Cornell campus is serviced free of charge to students and staff via public transportation.

The Casteel lab is seeking a highly qualified Technician. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting daily laboratory activities and contribute to ongoing and new research projects focused on characterizing the function of microbes in plant-insect interactions using the tools of molecular ecology and chemical ecology. This position offers an exciting opportunity for individuals with a background in plant biology plant-microbe interactions or plant-insect interactions or plant who are interested in ecology molecular biology and chemistry. Demonstrated leadership skills will be highly valued.

This is a part-time position at 62.5% FTE (25 hours/week). This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work funding and performance. Candidates should be based in or have the capacity to commute to Ithaca NY daily.

Occasional travel to field sites to assist with research and to extend knowledge to scientists or farmers is required. Visa sponsorship and relocation costs are not available for this position.

Position responsibilities include 1) plan and execute research experiments related to plant-microbe-insect interactions 2) use molecular chemical and genetic tools to process samples from your own experiments and others and 3) conduct analysis of data generated from laboratory experiments using machine learning/bioinformatics tools 4) generate figures and reports from experiments 5) lead day-to-day activities for the lab and 6) intellectually contribute to the development of research articles and proposals.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• DNA and RNA extraction

• Working with insects and pathogens in bioassays

• Plant care

• Operation of complex laboratory equipment

• Supporting field greenhouse and/or lab experiments

• Data collection and analysis

• Use of R for data analysis

• Maintain detailed records biological collections and lab inventories

• Writing and revising standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols

• Ordering supplies for the research project and lab

To learn more about the Casteel lab and project visit: assistance will not be provided for this position.

What We Need

• High school diploma and up to 1 year of relevant experience or equivalent combination.

• Prior experience in a laboratory setting.

• Prior knowledge of safety protocols in a lab setting and proper waste handling.

• Experience with Microsoft office suite including Word PowerPoint and Excel and familiarity with outlook.

• Ability to communicate verbally and written with faculty staff and students.

• Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS drivers license and be cleared to drive for university business.

• Experience modeling values that support inclusion belonging and wellbeing.

If you have all those things great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have but its ok if you dont.

• Bachelors degree or other formal research program of four years or equivalent in microbiology molecular biology or chemistry

• Experience growing and working with plants

• Experience with molecular biology tools

• Interest in plant-insect and plant-microbiome interactions molecular ecology or chemical ecology

• Experience in leadership

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health wellbeing and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options generous retirement contributions access to wellness programs and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Thanksgiving and the day after and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off Working at Cornell

• Cornells impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program tuition aid for external education and Cornell Childrens Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:

Total Rewards Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer. For more information visit

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