Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Department

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.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

The Texas A&M Potato Breeding Program seeks a highly qualified, motivated applicant with experience preparing plant variety protection documents, statistical analysis, and the genomics of polyploid plant species. The incumbent will be responsible for analyzing datasets to prepare PVP packages and manuscripts for new potato varieties and will also guide genomics research and breeding decisions in potatoes.

Responsibilities:

• Curate data (phenotypic and genotypic), analyze, interpret, and summarize results.
• Preparation plant variety protection documents, manuscripts, and reports.
• Guide personnel, including graduate students and postdoc on genomic research.
• Assist in the preparation of proposals for extramural funding and associated reports.
• Keep detailed records of research objectives and procedures.
• Perform other job-related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:  

Ph.D. degree in relevant field (Horticultural Sciences, Plant Genetics, Genomics, Breeding, or closely related field).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience in R programming and software for genetic analysis of polyploid plant species, and ability to work with databases and to handle large data sets.
• Experience in phylogenetic analysis, marker trait association studies and genomic selection in polyploids.
• Ability to effectively utilize computational systems and applicable software, including breeding databases, perform statistical analysis, present data, and perform other computer-related tasks.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with genotyping platforms, genotype calling, linkage mapping, and QTL analysis software and pipelines for polyploid plant species.
• Experience in field experimental designs and layouts, agronomic and quality evaluations, and selections.

What You Need to Know

Position Funding: This position is grant funded and availability is contingent on grant funding.

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 insurance with 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

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

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.