Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

54d

About The Position

Job Responsibilities: •Participate in a collaborative team research project related to soil microbial and plant response to agronomic chemicals to determine the mode-of-action. •Perform independent research with a focus on soil, microbial and/or plant response to chemical treatments in both soil and soilless culture systems under controlled environment and protected cultivation systems (incubation chambers, growth chambers, greenhouse hydroponics, aeroponics)As part of these overarching job responsibilities, tasks may include: •Prepare, collect and organize samples for microbial, growth, mineral, or biochemical analysis. •Use analytical equipment (pH meters, CO2 sensors, soil/root/plant sensors, chlorophyll fluorescence, etc.) and process samples using standard laboratory analytical techniques (e.g., nutrient extraction, pH, EC), experience with nucleic acid extraction and transcriptomics beneficial. . •Evaluate data and summarize results for preparation in peer reviewed publications including use of simple to complex statistical analysis . •Compose and write scientific publications, progress and annual/final reports for grants. •Supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and other lab personnel in research. •Other related duties as required. Required Education and Experience: PhD in Soil Science, Microbiology, Horticulture, Agronomy, Chemistry, Plant Physiology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering or closely related field. Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of related professional experience. •Experience in soil science, soil/environmental microbiology, soil chemistry, soil fertility, plant physiology, horticulture, and/or plant analysis •Experience conducting independent research in controlled environment systems •Formulating hypothesis, design experiments, handling scientific data, perform statistical analysis, and writing scientific reports •Experience in developing and writing publications for peer-reviewed journals •Experience in cultivating microbes and/or plants (e.g., tomato) in greenhouse (hydroponic, soil culture) or experience to conduct soil microbial research •Experience in measuring nutrients, growth metrics, and plant morphology or microbial activity •Experience in Bioinformatics •Experience in monitoring plant and microbes for stress, nutrition, health •Experience in identifying and control plant pests and diseases Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: •Excellent written and verbal communication skills to communicate with a variety of stakeholders, for example, but not limited to, faculty, staff, students, funders, and peer scientists •Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others •Ability to perform independent research •Good organizational skills and ability to coordinate research and work in research teams •Ability to travel independently or in groups Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: •Ability to conduct research in controlled environment and protected cultivation systems (incubation chambers, growth chambers, greenhouse hydroponics, and/or aeroponics) •Ability to prepare, collect and organize samples for microbial, growth, mineral, or biochemical analysis •Ability to use analytical equipment (pH meters, CO2 sensors, soil/root/plant sensors, chlorophyll fluorescence, etc.) and process samples using standard laboratory analytical techniques (e.g., nutrient extraction, pH, EC), including experience with nucleic acid extraction and transcriptomics. •Ability to evaluate data and summarize results for preparation in peer reviewed publications including use of simple to complex statistical analysis •Ability to compose and write scientific publications, progress and annual/final reports for grants •Ability to supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and other lab personnel in research •Ability to lift or move heavy loads up to 50 pounds. Please attach to your completed application: Resume/CV List of references with email and daytime phone numbers Cover Letter 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. As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies 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, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service. If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you. 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 Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners. Prospective employee benefits Retirement programs Commitment to inclusive excellence Strategic plan

Requirements

• PhD in Soil Science, Microbiology, Horticulture, Agronomy, Chemistry, Plant Physiology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering or closely related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to communicate with a variety of stakeholders, for example, but not limited to, faculty, staff, students, funders, and peer scientists
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
• Ability to perform independent research
• Good organizational skills and ability to coordinate research and work in research teams
• Ability to travel independently or in groups

Nice To Haves

• Two (2) years of related professional experience.
• Experience in soil science, soil/environmental microbiology, soil chemistry, soil fertility, plant physiology, horticulture, and/or plant analysis
• Experience conducting independent research in controlled environment systems
• Formulating hypothesis, design experiments, handling scientific data, perform statistical analysis, and writing scientific reports
• Experience in developing and writing publications for peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in cultivating microbes and/or plants (e.g., tomato) in greenhouse (hydroponic, soil culture) or experience to conduct soil microbial research
• Experience in measuring nutrients, growth metrics, and plant morphology or microbial activity
• Experience in Bioinformatics
• Experience in monitoring plant and microbes for stress, nutrition, health
• Experience in identifying and control plant pests and diseases
• Ability to conduct research in controlled environment and protected cultivation systems (incubation chambers, growth chambers, greenhouse hydroponics, and/or aeroponics)
• Ability to prepare, collect and organize samples for microbial, growth, mineral, or biochemical analysis
• Ability to use analytical equipment (pH meters, CO2 sensors, soil/root/plant sensors, chlorophyll fluorescence, etc.) and process samples using standard laboratory analytical techniques (e.g., nutrient extraction, pH, EC), including experience with nucleic acid extraction and transcriptomics.
• Ability to evaluate data and summarize results for preparation in peer reviewed publications including use of simple to complex statistical analysis
• Ability to compose and write scientific publications, progress and annual/final reports for grants
• Ability to supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and other lab personnel in research
• Ability to lift or move heavy loads up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a collaborative team research project related to soil microbial and plant response to agronomic chemicals to determine the mode-of-action.
• Perform independent research with a focus on soil, microbial and/or plant response to chemical treatments in both soil and soilless culture systems under controlled environment and protected cultivation systems (incubation chambers, growth chambers, greenhouse hydroponics, aeroponics)
• Prepare, collect and organize samples for microbial, growth, mineral, or biochemical analysis.
• Use analytical equipment (pH meters, CO2 sensors, soil/root/plant sensors, chlorophyll fluorescence, etc.) and process samples using standard laboratory analytical techniques (e.g., nutrient extraction, pH, EC), experience with nucleic acid extraction and transcriptomics beneficial.
• Evaluate data and summarize results for preparation in peer reviewed publications including use of simple to complex statistical analysis
• Compose and write scientific publications, progress and annual/final reports for grants.
• Supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and other lab personnel in research.
• Other related duties as required.

Benefits

• Retirement programs
• Commitment to inclusive excellence
• Strategic plan

What This Job Offers

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