What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Research Associate position at Texas A&M AgriLife?
Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Uvalde
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Uvalde, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
About Texas A&M AgriLife
Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
- Texas A&M Forest Service
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.
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Position Information
Postdoctoral Research Associate will perform independent and collaborative research to evaluate the mode-of-action of a chemical and identify targeted biological pathways from hypothesized mechanisms and evaluate potential risks. Research will be conducted in a team environment and will likely involve use of growth chambers, greenhouses, or open fields.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct research related to plant and/or microbial response to chemicals in greenhouse and field production systems
- Design and execute experiments, analyze data, and interpret results
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at professional meetings
- Participate in a collaborative team research project related to soil and plant response to agronomic chemicals to determine the mode-of-action
- Perform independent research with a focus on plant responses to chemical treatments in both greenhouse pots and open field production systems
- Prepare, collect and organize samples for growth, food/feed quality, mineral or biochemical analysis
- Use analytical equipment (soil/root/plant sensors, chlorophyll fluorescence, etc.) and process samples using standard laboratory analytical techniques (e.g., nutrient extraction, pH, EC), experience with DNA extraction and transcriptomics beneficial
- Evaluate data and summarize results for preparation in peer reviewed publications including use of simple to complex statistical analysis.
- Compose and write scientific publications, progress and annual/final reports for grants
- Supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and other lab personnel in research
- Travel between Uvalde and College Station to interact with PI's based in the Soil and Plant Sciences Department which requires a valid driver's license
- Performs other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- PhD degree in soil science, horticulture, agronomy, plant physiology, or closely related field
- Strong background and research experience in soil, plant physiological, or microbial analysis
- Ability to conduct independent research in controlled environment systems
- Strong ability to formulate hypothesis, design experiments, handling scientific data, perform statistical analysis, and writing scientific reports
- Evidence of publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Excellent English written and oral communication skills required to perform job duties effectively
- Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
- Proven organizational skills
- Ability to effectively communicate with faculty, students, and staff
- Ability to drive and travel independently or in groups
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in the cultivation of plants (e.g., tomato, corn) in greenhouse (hydroponic, soil culture) and field conditions, or experience to conduct soil microbial research
- Experience in the measurement of nutrients, growth metrics, and plant physiology/morphology or microbial activity
- Experience in monitoring plant and microbes for stress, nutrition, health
- Ability to identify and control plant pests and diseases
- Experience conducting incubation and/or plant growth experiments and strong skills associated with experiment design, sample preparation/analysis, data analysis and manuscript preparation
- Experience with -omics technologies (e.g., transcriptomics)
Other Requirements:
- Ability to lift or move heavy loads up to 50 pounds
What You Need to Know
Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.
Required Documents: Cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae stating education, experience and qualifications, and a list of three references with contact information are required. Failure to provide all required documents could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.
Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?
When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.
In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:
- Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurancewith Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
- 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
- Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
- Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
- Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
