If you are interested in conducting applied research to solve agricultural challenges in greenhouse and nursery grown crops you are in the right place! Our research focuses on developing and improving sustainable solutions for disease control of fungal and oomycetes.  We investigate the biology, ecology, population genetics, community ecology and develop diagnostics tools to better understand these organisms.

We currently have a  Post-Doctoral Researcher Opened Position

Application deadline: March 21

The Del Castillo Lab (Greenhouse and Nursery Pathology lab) at UC Davis, focuses on research developing and improving sustainable solutions for disease control through studies of fungal and oomycete pathogens affecting greenhouse and nursery grown crops (ornamentals and vegetable transplants).  We are seeking qualified applicants to work on the following areas of research:

  • Molecular detection of oomycete plant pathogens from water samples (qPCR, RPA).
  • Evaluate effect of best management practices on fungal and oomycete community composition.
  • Characterization of fungal and oomycete populations associated to greenhouse and nursery California crops: i.e. pathogenicity, disease etiology, population structure.
  • Disease diagnostics of greenhouse and nursery grown crops.

The incumbent will have the opportunity to interact with growers, present at extension and scientific meetings, diagnose diseases of ornamental crops and develop molecular based tools for pathogen quantification.  The Postdoc will also assist with activities related to lab management, training and supervision of other lab staff and stakeholders, and greenhouse trials.

One year position with potential for renewal based on performance in Dr. Johanna Del Castillo Greenhouse and nursery pathology lab, at UC Davis (main campus). https://greenhousepathology.faculty.ucdavis.edu/

The incumbent must have previous experience working with oomycete/fungal pathogens, implementing molecular tools for pathogen identification (qPCR, PCR), conducting greenhouse experiments, writing research papers and working independently.  No experience needed working with fungicides, disease diagnostics.

Looking for applicants interested in disease diagnostics and management, who would like to develop skills working with diverse fungal/oomycete pathogens in greenhouse production settings, molecular pathogen quantification methods, applied and collaborative research with growers, collaborators, grant writing and extension.

Start date: June 2025

Application deadline: March 21, 2024

This position includes a starting annual salary of $66,737- $80,034.

To apply: submit documents to the UC Davis recruit site https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07028