Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M • College Station, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Associate conducts research in aquatic animal nutrition and health, focusing on improving feed formulations, evaluating the effects of dietary treatments on fish health, and supporting sustainable aquaculture production. The role includes designing and conducting nutritional studies, evaluating alternative feed ingredients and functional feed additives, and investigating their effects on growth performance and intestinal health. Research is conducted at the Aquaculture Research and Teaching Facility, approximately a 10-minute drive from the main campus. The associate contributes to scientific publications and research proposals and mentors graduate and undergraduate students.

The position is under general supervision in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management at Texas A&M AgriLife Research in College Station, Texas. It is funded through grants or contracts, and continued employment depends on ongoing funding and satisfactory performance. The position requires work beyond normal business hours and on weekends when necessary, occasional travel, and work in laboratory, aquaculture facility, and outdoor environments. Employment is subject to institutional credential verification and a criminal history investigation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Aquaculture, Animal Nutrition, Fisheries Science, Animal Science, Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Knowledge of experimental design, scientific research methods, and statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of aquatic animal nutrition, physiology, or health.
• Experience conducting laboratory or animal-based research.
• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate scientific data.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare scientific manuscripts, technical reports, or other research documents.
• Proficiency with commonly used computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical software.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with multidisciplinary research teams.
• Ability to manage multiple research activities and meet established deadlines.
• Ability to work beyond normal business hours and on weekends when necessary for feeding trials, animal care, or sample collection.
• Ability to work in laboratory, aquaculture facility, and outdoor research environments, including variable conditions such as heat, humidity, and exposure to water.
• Ability to perform moderate lifting of 21–50 lbs., with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to follow institutional animal care, laboratory safety, and biosafety procedures.
• Ability to travel occasionally to research facilities, collaborator institutions, scientific conferences, or field locations.
• A valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. research emphasis in aquatic animal nutrition, fish physiology, aquatic animal health, or a closely related field.
• Experience designing and conducting feeding trials with fish or other aquatic organisms.
• Experience in aquaculture feed formulation, feed ingredient evaluation, nutrient digestibility, or feed additive research.
• Experience performing laboratory analyses related to digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, or immune responses.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques, gene expression analysis, or intestinal microbiome characterization.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis using R, SAS, or comparable software.
• A demonstrated record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Experience preparing research proposals and collaborating on externally funded research projects.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students.
• Familiarity with culture and nutritional requirements of commercially important aquaculture species, including catfish, red drum, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, tilapia, or shrimp.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement research projects in aquatic animal nutrition, feed formulation, feeding strategies, and fish health.
• Design controlled experiments evaluating nutrient utilization, alternative feed ingredients, functional feed additives, production performance, and physiological responses.
• Review scientific literature, formulate research hypotheses, and develop experimental protocols.
• Conduct feeding trials and research studies with fish and other aquatic organisms in controlled laboratory and production conditions.
• Prepare experimental diets, manage feeding trials, and collect biological samples for nutritional, physiological, and health assessments.
• Perform laboratory analyses related to proximate composition, digestive physiology, intestinal health, and immune responses.
• Monitor experimental conditions, ensure accurate data collection, follow institutional research and safety requirements, and collaborate with the principal investigator and other researchers on protocols.
• Organize, process, and analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical methods; interpret feeding-trial and tissue-response results.
• Prepare figures, tables, technical summaries, organized research records, datasets, and laboratory documentation to support data quality and reproducibility.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed scientific journals and present findings at conferences, professional meetings, and other appropriate venues.
• Contribute to technical reports and research summaries for funding agencies and industry stakeholders, and collaborate with research partners on dissemination.
• Assist with research proposals, including scientific justifications, experimental methodologies, and grant application documentation.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to identify research opportunities and develop projects addressing aquaculture industry needs.
• Assist with technical progress reports and funding-agency documentation.
• Provide technical guidance and training to undergraduate and graduate students in experimental procedures, sample collection, laboratory techniques, and data analysis.
• Coordinate research activities with laboratory personnel and collaborators, and promote laboratory safety, research integrity, and responsible conduct of research.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, with AgriLife contributing to premiums.
• 12–15 annual paid holidays.
• Up to 8 hours per month of sick leave.
• At least 8 hours per month of vacation.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Employee Wellness Initiative.
• Access to ongoing professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree