Postdoctoral Position in Plant Pathology, Genomics, and Bioinformatics for Wheat Disease Research

Kansas State University’s Department of Plant Pathology is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join a USDA-funded project focused on the genomics and molecular diagnostics of wheat diseases, specifically common bunt and dwarf bunt caused by fungal pathogens. The successful candidate will work with the labs of Assistant Professor Kelsey Andersen Onofre and Sanzhen Liu, leading genomic analyses, developing bioinformatics pipelines, and advancing molecular diagnostic tools for important wheat diseases. The research aims to characterize the genomes and genetic diversity of these pathogens to improve disease understanding and management in agriculture. Key responsibilities include leading the analysis of genomic data from wheat fungal pathogens, developing and testing biological hypotheses, creating and documenting data analysis pipelines, summarizing and interpreting results for manuscripts and presentations, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary project team. The position requires strong computational skills in bioinformatics and a solid understanding of plant pathogenic fungi biology. Experience with command-line data analysis, programming languages such as R or Python, genome assembly, comparative genomics, and high performance computing clusters is highly desirable. Experience with molecular marker or diagnostic marker discovery is also preferred. Applicants must hold a PhD in Plant Pathology, Plant Science, Microbiology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, or a related field, and must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment. The position is on-site in Manhattan, Kansas, and offers a supportive and inclusive academic environment with access to comprehensive benefits, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. The anticipated salary range is $50,000 - $60,000 per year, commensurate with experience. The position is eligible for sponsorship. To apply, candidates should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references through the Kansas State University careers portal by March 15, 2026. For more information about the department and research environment, visit the Department of Plant Pathology’s website. This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in plant pathology, genomics, bioinformatics, and agricultural disease management.