Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, wildlife ecology, or a related field.
• Ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with nucleic acid extraction from environmental or other complex samples.
• Working knowledge of PCR and primer or probe design.
• Understanding of how to optimize an assay for sensitivity and specificity, including controls for inhibition and contamination.
• Careful documentation and a methodical approach to validation.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work early mornings and walk/hike for extended periods while carrying a field pack; positive attitude in adverse environmental conditions such as fire ants, chiggers, rattlesnakes, feral pigs, normal daily temperatures of over 90°F, intense sun, thick and thorny brush, and steep and rocky terrain.
• Experience with eDNA or environmental metabarcoding, digital PCR, multiplex assay design, or nanopore based detection.
• Field sampling and chain of custody handling for environmental samples.
• Validation of assays against field data
• Curation of reference panels or sequence databases.
• Experience working alongside bioinformatics and field teams to interpret results.
• A record of peer reviewed publications.
• Experience deploying autonomous recording units (e.g., acoustic monitors) for wildlife research.
• Experience with capture/handling wildlife, especially bats.
• Experience driving 4WD vehicles.
• Experience in field navigation and spatial data collection using GPS.

Responsibilities

• Design and validate molecular assays, including evaluating performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, and reliability.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction and quality control on environmental samples, incorporating appropriate controls to manage inhibition and contamination.
• Apply and optimize molecular detection methods (e.g., qPCR, digital PCR, sequencing) and interpret the results with strong analytical rigor.
• Coordinate with field teams to plan and execute sampling efforts, ensuring adherence to study design, sample integrity, and proper documentation.
• Analyze complex datasets and communicate findings through peer-reviewed publications, reports, and presentations to scientific and stakeholder audiences.
• Maintain high standards of data management, reproducibility, and record keeping in accordance with responsible conduct of research.
• Mentor students and junior personnel and support the advancement of the broader research program.

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