Postdoctoral Research Associate Molecular Biology

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Associate designs, conducts, and coordinates molecular biology experiments addressing defined research objectives; analyzes and interprets results; and leads preparation of manuscripts and technical reports. The position works with a high degree of independence, contributes preliminary data and methods to funding proposals, and helps train students and research staff in experimental design and molecular methods. Research focuses on microbial communities, bacterial pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance in environmental, animal, and food-production contexts.

Requirements

• PhD in microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, animal science, veterinary science, or a closely related field.
• Research experience in molecular biology or microbiology, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
• Bench expertise in nucleic acid extraction, PCR detection, and at least one sequencing approach: amplicon, metagenomic, or whole-genome sequencing.
• Experience designing experiments and analyzing data with appropriate statistical methods.
• Strong scientific writing skills and ability to draft manuscripts and technical reports with limited supervision.
• Ability to manage several concurrent experiments and coordinate with project teams.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Nice To Haves

• Research experience with microbial communities, pathogens, or antimicrobial resistance in livestock, wildlife, environmental, or food-production systems.
• Experience developing and validating quantitative PCR or digital PCR assays.
• Experience with nanopore sequencing.
• Experience analyzing sequencing data with command-line tools and R or Python.
• Experience with biofilm models or culture methods for bacterial pathogens.
• Experience working under biosafety level 2 conditions.
• Experience contributing to extramural funding proposals.
• Experience mentoring students.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments, including suitable sampling designs, controls, and replication.
• Develop and validate molecular detection assays, including quantitative PCR and sequencing approaches, for bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance determinants in environmental, animal, and food samples.
• Use culture and molecular methods to characterize microbial communities, pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance across livestock, wildlife, and food-production settings, including multispecies biofilm systems.
• Plan amplicon, metagenomic, and whole-genome sequencing studies with sequencing and bioinformatics staff, and interpret results in relation to study objectives.
• Analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical methods in R or Python, and prepare publication figures and tables.
• Lead writing of manuscripts and technical reports, and contribute methods, preliminary data, and results to funding proposals.
• Maintain detailed experimental records and follow laboratory data-management practices.
• Operate and help maintain laboratory molecular instrumentation.
• Train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students and research staff in experimental design and molecular methods.
• Coordinate experiments and timelines with collaborators at partner universities and federal laboratories.
• Present findings at laboratory meetings, scientific conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, with AgriLife contributions to premiums.
• 12–15 annual paid holidays.
• Up to 8 hours per month of sick leave and 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