Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M University System • Dallas, TX

1d

About The Position

A full-time postdoctoral position is available in the Breeding for Controlled Environment (BCE) laboratory at AgriLife Research at the Dallas Center and the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Texas A&M University. BCE program focuses on the development of breeding lines and cultivars of horticultural crops for controlled environments (CEs). The Postdoctoral Research Associate is responsible for experimental design, conducting experiments, data recording, statistical data analyses, and interpretation. Screen germplasm of horticultural crops for trait discovery with the goal of breeding crops that thrive in CEs. Make crosses, population development, DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, PCR and qRT-PCR. Analyze genome resequencing, transcriptomic, and genotypic data to construct linkage maps, conduct QTL mapping and GWAS, gene expression analyses, marker development and validation. The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to: Screen germplasm of horticultural crops for trait discovery with the goal of breeding crops that thrive in CEs. Make crosses, population development, DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, PCR and qRT-PCR. Analyze genome resequencing, transcriptomic, and genotypic data to construct linkage maps, conduct QTL mapping and GWAS, gene expression analyses, marker development and validation. Experimental design, conduct experiments, data recording, statistical data analyses, and interpretation. Manuscript writing and publication in peer-reviewed journals, research presentation at scientific meetings Generate data and use them in grant proposals, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in writing grants, and submit reports to funding agencies Provide training and mentoring to graduate and undergraduate students Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in plant breeding, genetics or related field.
• Proficiency in plant breeding activities: germplasm screening, crossing, population development, data analyses (in R or SAS), and database management.
• Experience in conducting experiments in controlled environments and hydroponics.
• Expertise in molecular techniques: DNA/RNA extractions, PCR, qRT-PCR, marker design and validation, sequencing library preparations.
• Knowledge of Bioinformatics: genome resequencing and transcriptome data analyses, variant calling, QTL and GWAS analyses.
• A publication record in the field of breeding, genetics, or genomics.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Responsibilities

• Screen germplasm of horticultural crops for trait discovery with the goal of breeding crops that thrive in CEs.
• Make crosses, population development, DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, PCR and qRT-PCR.
• Analyze genome resequencing, transcriptomic, and genotypic data to construct linkage maps, conduct QTL mapping and GWAS, gene expression analyses, marker development and validation.
• Experimental design, conduct experiments, data recording, statistical data analyses, and interpretation.
• Manuscript writing and publication in peer-reviewed journals, research presentation at scientific meetings
• Generate data and use them in grant proposals, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in writing grants, and submit reports to funding agencies
• Provide training and mentoring to graduate and undergraduate students
• Performs other 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
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree