Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M • College Station, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

About Texas A&M AgriLife 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. Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world! Position Information Essential Duties of Job: Develop and validate eDNA assays to detect bat species occurrence from environmental samples such as water, soil, and air filters, taking each assay from design through validation and into the laboratory's three-tier detection workflow of qPCR, digital PCR, and nanopore sequencing. Though the primary job location is in College Station, the successful candidate will travel to field sites in south Texas to collect samples and assist with acoustic monitor deployment and maintenance.

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