Research Technician

Washington State University - Vancouver

The Porter Lab in the School of Biological Sciences at Washington State
University - Vancouver is searching for a Research Technician. Research
in the lab investigates the evolution and ecology of plant-microbe
cooperation in both wild and agricultural systems.

SCOPE: To reveal whether symbiosis between plants and microbes has
shifted over the course of crop domestication, the technician will
help design and conduct manipulative experiments in the greenhouse
and laboratory (see research questions in Porter & Sachs (2020) TREE:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2020.01.006). Our lab has a large
collection of wild and domesticated legume seeds and rhizobia bacteria
ready for plant-microbe growth experiments to compare symbiotic outcomes
for crops and wild species. Successful applicants should be experienced
in cultivating plants under controlled conditions and interested in using
microbial inoculations in experiments. Experience with the collection,
analysis, and curation of experimental data, and training in plant
science/horticulture and/or microbiology are preferred.

POSITION DETAILS: We will be working in a new, state of the art greenhouse
facility with automated climate and irrigation controls, as well as
an adjacent new Life Sciences Building on the Vancouver campus. This
position is open until filled with potential start dates in Spring
2024. The successful applicant will be compensated with benefits and
a salary commensurate with WA state guidelines (likely starting around
$36,000). The position is funded by a grant from the National Science
Foundation and will initially be for one year, with the possibility of
renewal for a second year based on satisfactory performance.

COMMUNITY: The Porter Lab is committed to creating a diverse, equitable,
and inclusive working environment. All members of the group are expected
to share in this commitment. Candidates from groups historically
underrepresented in biological science research are especially
encouraged. The Natural Sciences community at WSUV is collaborative,
supportive and conducting research on a wide variety of topics across
ecology and evolution across several PhD-granting departments.

LOCATION: Vancouver, WA is located in the Portland, OR metro area and
is a beautiful place to live and work. As the only public four-year
educational institution in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver is
dedicated to its land-grant tradition for openness, accessibility
and service to people. Situated on 351 scenic acres, WSU Vancouver
is in the homelands of the Chinookan and Taidnapam peoples and the
Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Employees and students alike value the beauty of
campus. Recognized by Insight Into Diversity magazine as a top college
for diversity, WSU Vancouver is committed to advancing equity, diversity,
inclusion and belonging in all that it does.

TO APPLY: Interested applicants, please send a cover letter, CV,
and contact information for 3 references to stephanie.porter@wsu.edu
Informal email inquiries are also welcome.

Stephanie S. Porter
Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences
Washington State University, Vancouver
https://labs.wsu.edu/stephanie-porter/

stephanie.porter@wsu.edu

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