Molecular Plant Pathologist - Start Immediately

About us:

APPLIED AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES Sdn. Bhd. was established in 1986 and is an associate company of two highly successful public listed Malaysian companies, namely Boustead Plantations Berhad and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad. As a leading research centre in tropical plantation crops, our core activities involve research in crop improvement and production, providing advisory services for plantation crops, as well as the production and sale of oil palm tissue culture ramets and seeds.

Our research programme is strategically focused on improving productivity and efficiency in estates, and we make use of the latest research findings, innovations, and technological advances in crop science and information technology. We engage in collaborative research with both local and overseas universities, research institutions, and commercial companies. Our research findings are published in high-impact journals and presented at conferences worldwide. For more detailed information about our activities, please visit our website at www.aarsb.com.my.

About the Research Unit:

The AAR Biotechnology Section is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge molecular biotechnological approaches to revolutionise oil palm breeding, propagation, and molecular plant pathology. Our mission is to expedite plant breeding and introduce genetics-based solutions to the industry's challenges through innovation and advanced molecular techniques. Join us in our journey to set new standards in agricultural biotechnology.

Your Role:

We are seeking a Molecular Plant Pathologist specialising in plant host-fungal pathogen interactions. 

Requirements:

1. Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Genetics, Applied Microbiology/Plant Pathology, Plant Physiology, or a related field, accompanied by a minimum of 12 months relevant work experience. Alternatively, a Master of Science (MSc) degree with at least one peer-reviewed journal publication in the aforementioned fields.
2. A minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.70.

Responsibilities:

1. Support the development and execution of RT-PCR and qPCR-based methodologies for gene expression studies, including the extraction of transcriptome data and the handling of high-throughput data.
2. Lead the coordination of nursery trials for disease screening, ensuring accurate measurement of plant parameters and facilitating the analysis of high-throughput traits.
3. Oversee the maintenance of fungal culture collections, species identification, and microscopy analysis.
4. Effectively communicate research findings to both scientific peers and the broader community.
5. Ensure the laboratory maintains the highest standards of cleanliness, biosafety, and biosecurity.

Additional Skills and Notes:

1. Extensive knowledge in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Plant Disease, and Physiology.
2. Preference for candidates with 1 to 2 years of recent, relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional experience.
3. Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks efficiently.
4. Proficiency in English and Bahasa Malaysia, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.