MS Position in Food Safety (Onion Food Safety)

Position Description

The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture (HLA) at Colorado State University and specifically, Dr. Eduardo Gutierrez Rodriguez fresh produce safety research group, has a MS position in food safety with an emphasis on onion safety looking at onion growing and harvesting practices and how each impact survival, transmission, and proliferation of enteric pathogens along the cropping cycle. The position is available starting August 1st, 2021 (summer to fall semester). The position will be located at the Colorado State University main campus in Fort Collins. The successful candidate will participate in a collaborative project and execute basic and applied research on the role of enteric pathogen contamination of onions along the cropping cycle. The project includes lab, greenhouse, and field trials with corresponding travel to farms for sample collection and application of treatments. Through this project, the candidate will acquire strong technical expertise in onion horticultural practices and advanced microbiology including molecular biology techniques, basic microbial community analysis of rhizosphere and plant microbiomes. The selected candidate will also have the opportunity to participate in future training opportunities, direct contact with the onion industry and development of professional and personal skills focusing on project management and technical writing, and science communication.

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a B.S. degree with a strong background either in microbiology, animal science, veterinary medicine, horticulture, molecular biology, microbiomes, or similar fields. Practical experience in horticulture, management of enteric pathogensis highly desired. We recognize the potential candidates for this position may not completely match with the advertised position needs; however, we encourage students with diverse backgrounds within the suggested fields to apply to this position. Colorado State University, HLA and the research group support and foster diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourage any individual with a strong record of research productivity and relevant experience to apply.

Application process

Please submit the following documents for an initial evaluation to egr10@colostate.edu (Dr. GutierrezRodriguez).

Curriculum vitae.
Unofficial transcripts.
Statement of research experience and goals (2-page max, single space, font 11-12 Arial or Calibri, 1” Margins).

List of 3 references (email, phone number and role of the reference). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the candidate is selected. After selection, the candidate must also apply to the MS program in the Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department at Colorado State University to complete the entire process. The position will begin once the selected candidate is accepted into the graduate program. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Full time employment through summertime is available if needed.

The application process follows the CSU and HLA requirements and guidelines listed here:

Contact information for any inquiry

Eduardo Gutierrez-Rodriguez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Food Safety, Colorado State University, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, e-mail: egr10@colostate.edu

Equal employment opportunity statement

Colorado State University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.

MS Position in Food Safety (Onion Food Safety)