Assistant Scientist / Research Assistant - Plant Pathology

Job Summary:
The Assistant Scientist / Research Assistant - Plant Pathology will support R&D activities through laboratory, polyhouse, and field-based research. The role involves plant disease resistance screening, pathogen isolation and maintenance, disease diagnosis, and providing technical support to breeding and crop improvement programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collect and process samples of fungal, bacterial, viral pathogens, and insect vectors for disease diagnosis and research.
• Prepare, sterilize, and maintain culture media for pathogen isolation, purification, multiplication, and preservation.
• Isolate, identify, and maintain plant pathogens using standard phytopathological techniques.
• Conduct pathogenicity tests and maintain pathogen cultures with proper documentation.
• Screen breeding lines, germplasm, and crop entries for resistance against fungal, bacterial, viral, and obligate parasitic pathogens under artificial and natural disease conditions.
• Perform virus mechanical sap inoculation for disease establishment and resistance evaluation.
• Execute disease resistance screening trials in laboratory, polyhouse, and field environments.
• Diagnose plant diseases and provide technical support for disease management in breeding and crop production programs.
• Maintain laboratory records, pathogen inventories, experimental data, and reports with proper documentation and culture coding.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure adherence to quality and biosafety standards.
• Travel within the state to support field and polyhouse trials, pathogen collection, disease surveillance, and resistance screening activities.

Desired Candidate Profile

Education Qualification

• Bachelor of Science - Agriculture
• Master of Science - Plant Pathology
• Doctor of Philosophy - Plant Pathology