Michailides Plant Pathology Lab
University of California Kearney Agricultural Center

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION WORKING WITH AFLATOXIN IN ALMONDS

DUTIES:  The emphasis of this position will be to develop methods to reduce aflatoxin contamination of tree nuts (mainly almonds). The primary causal agents of aflatoxin contamination in tree nuts in California are Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, fungi with no known sexual phase. Aspergillus flavus/parasiticus are very infrequent fungi, but because the tolerance of aflatoxins in tree nuts is very low (5 to 15 parts per billion), aflatoxin contamination problems have become very serious in the last decade or so. The sources of contamination have been studied in pistachios in California, but not in almond. The person accepting this position will use traditional and modern molecular approaches to increase our knowledge on the sources, infection, and contamination of almonds by the aflatoxigenic fungi. At the same time, the candidate will initiate experiments to develop data on the displacement of A. flavus/parasiticus in an experimental almond orchard by using the biocontrol A. flavus AF36 that has been registered in other crops. The ultimate goal of this position will be to understand the population diversity of aflatoxigenic fungi, sources, and conditions affecting infection of almonds, and biological control using the atoxigenic strain AF36 through research efforts. The results will be used by the Almond Board of California to expand the label and eventually get registration of AF36 on almonds.

This is a University of California postdoctoral position for which a Ph.D. earned within the last 4 years is preferred. This position is available immediately.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  Recent Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, or related Biological/Microbiological Science is required. Knowledge and experience with the filamentous fungi and/or utilizing molecular techniques in microbial ecology would be useful.

LOCATION:  The position will be with the Department of Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, but will be located at the Kearney Agricultural Center.  This is the largest, off-campus Agricultural Research and Extension Center owned by the University.  The Center is located about 2.5 hours away form the main campus.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:  This position is available immediately. Send curriculum vitae to: Dr. Themis J. Michailides, University of California, Kearney Agricultural Center, 9240 South Riverbend Ave., Parlier, CA 93648. Phone: 559-646-6546. Fax: 559-646-6593; or e-mail themis@uckac.edu.

For more information about the Kearney Agricultural Center and my research, please go to the following links:

http://www.uckac.edu    or     http://tjm.uckac.edu/Default.asp

Page last updated: 10/04/2006