Postdoctoral Fellow (Nachappa)

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: about 1 year ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 31 Jan 2023

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Postdoctoral Fellow (Nachappa)
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202201900AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Postdoctoral Fellows
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $50,000-55,000 plus applicable benefits.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date 03/01/2023
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 01/31/2023
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.
The Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management (BSPM) is committed to excellence in the creation and dissemination of knowledge about insects, plant pathogens, and weeds. Further, BSPM applies this knowledge to solving practical problems related to:
  • Management of pests in production agricultural systems, in natural resources and recreational environments, and in residential and public areas.
  • Environmental quality
  • Human and animal health.


    • The Department encompasses the disciplines of entomology, plant pathology, and weed science – thus providing unique opportunities to address critical issues that cut across disciplinary boundaries. BSPM focuses its teaching, research and outreach missions in four program areas each of which involves all three of the department’s disciplinary roots in entomology, plant pathology, and weed science. These programs are:

  • Genomics and Molecular Biology,
  • Ecology and Biodiversity,
  • Biology and Management of Invasive Species,
  • Integrated Pest Management.

    • BSPM emphasizes knowledge of pests and related organisms; the roles that they play in ecological, economic and social systems; and the application of such knowledge to developing economically and environmentally sound solutions for practical problems. Being interdisciplinary in nature, BSPM values cooperative and collaborative efforts with other units within the University, as well as other relevant entities in Colorado and beyond.
    Position Summary
    The Nachappa Lab at Colorado State University seeks a Postdoctoral research fellow to study molecular mechanisms underlying host plant resistance to wheat stem sawfly. The researcher will perform greenhouse and field experiments to assess sawfly resistance, transcriptomics and metabolomics experiments to explore molecular mechanisms underlying resistance. The researcher is also expected to analyze data and prepare publications.
    Required Job Qualifications
    • Candidates should have a Ph.D. degree in Entomology, molecular biology or other closely related field, a strong publication record (appropriate for career stage), and excellent communication skills.
    • Expertise in molecular plant-insect interactions.
    • Experience in both lab and field experimentation.
    • Experience with data analysis using spatial analysis programs such as ArcGIS.
    • Proven ability to conduct and publish independent research.
    • Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date
    Preferred Job Qualifications
    • Experience in grant writing and leading manuscripts
    Diversity Statement
    Demonstrated knowledge of, and relevant ability with, culturally diverse communities among potential target and constituent populations.

    Essential Duties


    Job Duty Category Research
    Duty/Responsibility
    The main responsibility will be performing greenhouse and field experiments to screen sawfly-resistant varieties resistance, performing RNA-Seq and metabolomics experiments to identify potential genes/proteins underlying resistance. The researcher is also expected to analyze data and prepare publications.
    Percentage Of Time 80
    Job Duty Category Supervision
    Duty/Responsibility
    The individual will be expected to train and mentor graduate and undergraduate students who will assist on the project. They will do this through active mentor-ship and demonstration of greenhouse and field experiments and data analysis techniques. This is done to provide the researcher an opportunity to build mentoring skills as well as provide the undergraduate student the opportunity to work in a research lab.
    Percentage Of Time 20

    Application Details


    Special Instructions to Applicants
    Nachappa Lab at Colorado State University seeks a Postdoctoral research fellow to study molecular mechanisms underlying host plant resistance to wheat stem sawfly. Upload a cover letter addressing qualifications and resume and list of 3 references for full consideration by January 31, 2023 at https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/116909 . References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidate. CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer and conducts background checks on all final candidates.
    Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License
    Search Contact [email protected]
    EEO Statement
    Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
    The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
    The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
    The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
    Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
    Background Check Policy Statement
    Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.