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

This Postdoctoral Research Associate, Pasture Mealybug Biological Control and Molecular Ecology, will focus on identifying key natural enemies of pasture mealybug through a statewide molecular gut-content analysis survey; conduct field sampling across Texas and perform molecular analyses.

Responsibilities:

• Conducting molecular gut-content analyses to identify important mealybug predators

• Designing and implementing statewide field surveys

• Conducting insecticide compatibility studies with major mealybug natural enemies

• Developing IPM recommendations for pasture mealybug management.

• Analyzing data and preparing manuscripts, reports, and presentations.

• Participating in extension and outreach activities and collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams.

• Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students,

• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Appropriate doctoral degree.

• Demonstrated experience in biological control and integrated pest management.

• Experience with molecular techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction, primer design, PCR, and molecular diagnostics.

• Knowledge of entomopathogenic fungi and microbial insecticides and different delivery mechanisms.

• Knowledge of molecular trophic interaction analysis.

• Knowledge of genomics, bioinformatics, or next-generation sequencing approaches.

• Knowledge of grant writing and proposal development.

• Knowledge of controlled-environment agriculture systems.

• Ability to communicate effectively

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

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.