Arkansas State University Hiring for Research Assistant at ASU-Jonesboro Full Time

Employment Status:Full time (29-40 Hrs) Type of Employment:Staff # of openings:1 Location:ASU-Jonesboro Proposed Salary Range:Commensurate with Experience Closing:11/30/23

Please note: All postings close at 12 A.M. CST on the closing date. A-State participates in E-Verify.

Position Summary:

The Marsico Lab at Arkansas State University are actively recruiting a postdoctoral research associate. This is
a 12-month position, with the potential to renew for an additional year based on performance and available
funding. A focus in the Marsico Lab is providing a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and meaningful support to
students, faculty, and staff from a variety of backgrounds

The Marsico Lab has funded projects that focus on biosecurity: foundational theories in invasion ecology and applied ecology investigating risks posed by and solutions for preventing invasive plant species. Some of the research involves field botany in diverse ecosystems of the southeastern United States and Panama. Specifically, we work with the Georgia Ports Authority and the Panama Canal Authority to screen shipping containers and breakbulk cargo for hitchhiking plant species and conduct floristic inventories for early detection and rapid response for high-risk species that are not yet naturalized. A particular focus is on the Federal Noxious Weed species Saccharum spontaneum (wild sugarcane), which has high influx into the United States on a shipping route through the Panama Canal Region. We are investigating the evolutionary potential for wild sugarcane to establish and spread throughout the continental United States. Collaborations are ongoing with Dr. Rima Lucardi’s research lab at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service,
Southern Research Station, and Dr. Emily Bellis at Avalo, a genome analysis industry partner

Duties & Responsibilities:

• In consultation with the PI, implement research projects that fulfill objectives described in funded grants
• Develop and implement related research projects that extend research reach
• Work closely with graduate and undergraduate students in the lab and provide professional mentorship to them
• Work closely with collaborative team members at USFS, Southern Research Station, Avalo, and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
• Lead analysis, interpretation, and writing of research outcomes for certain facets of the collaborative work
• Attend regular meetings with the PI and weekly lab meetings
• Lead meetings with students and teach necessary skills to members of the lab
• Organize purchases and travel for research
• Present research outcomes at professional meetings
• Pursue professional development opportunities that provide preparation for next steps beyond the postdoctoral research position
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge of plant biology

General Days/Hours:

Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Additional hours as requested and/or needed
Regular and reliable attendance

Other:

Please note: all position postings close at 12:00 A.M. CST on the position closing date

Applicants should have a strong desire for scientific discovery and dissemination through peer-reviewed publication. Enthusiasm for mentoring graduate students and undergraduates in research is key. Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following is required:

1) Plant identification using dichotomous keys in the southern United States and/or the Neotropics
2) Previous research and publication on causes and consequences of non-native plant species invasions
3) Development and use of invasive species risk models, genomic risk models, and/or spatially explicit models
4) High-level of competency conducting analyses using geographic information systems (GIS)
5) Genetic or genomic research experiences with grasses or other related polyploid species
6) Identification of seeds using morphological or genetic techniques
7) Experience curating, working in, or managing an herbarium

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned Ph.D. in Biology, Botany, Plant Biology, Ecology, Genetics, Environmental Sciences, or related field

E-Verify Participation Notice:

https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

E-Verify Right to Work:

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf