Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M • College Station, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Associate is responsible for conducting collections-based research focused on Poaceae diversification and ecology. This role involves developing research questions and sampling designs using S.M. Tracy Herbarium collections and targeted field collections. The associate will generate, manage, analyze, and synthesize genomic, phenomic/spectral, trait, spatial, environmental, and taxonomic data. They will conduct phylogeographic, species delimitation, and evolutionary analyses, and prepare manuscripts, datasets, figures, reports, presentations, and grant materials. The position requires maintaining research records and reproducible workflows, assisting with the preparation, organization, and cleaning of herbarium, laboratory, and field workspaces. Travel for fieldwork, herbarium visits, conferences, training, and collaborator meetings may be required. The role may also involve assisting with workshops, outreach, technical reports, and lab/herbarium coordination. Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• PhD in botany, biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, plant systematics, plant biology, biodiversity science, or a related field by the start date.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to organize specimens, data, analyses, and manuscripts.
• Ability to prepare research papers, reports, grant materials, and presentations.

Nice To Haves

• PhD with emphasis in plant systematics, evolutionary biology, phylogeography, population genomics, ecology, Poaceae, herbarium science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, analyze data, write scientifically, and work collaboratively.
• Experience with phylogenetics, morphometrics, comparative methods, herbarium collections, plant taxonomy, grasses/Poaceae, trait datasets, biodiversity informatics, R, Python, GitHub, fieldwork, laboratory workflows, or grant/manuscript development.
• Experience with R, Git/GitHub, phylogenomic or population genomic workflows, GIS/spatial analysis, herbarium curation, voucher collection, plant identification, spectral reflectance, trait modeling, biodiversity informatics, and/or grant writing.
• Ability to obtain a valid driver license preferred if fieldwork travel is required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct collections-based research focused on Poaceae diversification and ecology.
• Develop research questions and sampling designs using S.M. Tracy Herbarium collections and targeted field collections.
• Generate, manage, analyze, and synthesize genomic, phenomic/spectral, trait, spatial, environmental, and taxonomic data.
• Conduct phylogeographic, species delimitation, and evolutionary analyses.
• Prepare manuscripts, datasets, figures, reports, presentations, and grant materials.
• Maintain research records and reproducible workflows.
• Assist with preparation, organization, and cleaning of herbarium, laboratory, and field workspaces.
• May travel for fieldwork, herbarium visits, conferences, training, and collaborator meetings.
• May assist with workshops, outreach, technical reports, lab/herbarium coordination
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

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