Research Assistant

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

10d • Onsite

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 Job Responsibilities: 50 %: Plant Pathology Research – Culture bacterial or fungal isolates from diseased pecan tissue, maintain and transfer cultures for long-term viability, maintains chemical and biological inventory of the lab. 25 %: Field Ratings – Performs field ratings of pest presence, disease severity, pecan phenology, and tissue collection and post-processing (including imaging). 15 %: Genetics Research – DNA/RNA extractions from plant/microbial tissue, PCR amplification, Sequencing library preparation, DNA/RNA sequencing. 5 %: Preserved Specimen Collection Maintenance – Assists in the inventory, sample preparation, pest management, and maintenance of an herbarium collection of pecan and hickory leaves and nuts. 5 %: Performs other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience: A bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Soil & Crop Sciences or a related field. Preferred Experience: Possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience participating in plant pathology, genetics, agricultural, or field research BSL1+ Laboratory Experience (preferably Microbiology or Plant Biology) Research with fruit/nut tree crops Pruning tower operation Required licenses or certifications: Ability to obtain U.S. Driver’s License Required skills, knowledge or abilities: Be able to work under adverse conditions, such as high heat and humidity. Manages time effectively and prioritizing tasks to meet project deadlines. Maintains detailed, accurate lab notebooks and documentation. Ability to write reports, present findings, and communicate with scientific colleagues or farmers. Makes necessary laboratory solutions, including adjusting pH and molarity. Prepare media and culture microorganisms in sterile conditions to prevent contamination. Ability to lift and carry heavy objects greater than 50 lbs. Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accurate detection and identification of diseases. Ability to identify fungal, bacterial, and viral plant pathogens through microscopy and physical or molecular characterization. Knowledge of diseases, insects, and pests affecting pecans and hickories. PCR (polymerase chain reaction), qPCR (quantitative PCR), and DNA sequencing. Tissue culture (micropropagation) on difficult species. Additional requirements: This position involves regular exposure to tree nuts. What You Need to Know This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future. Position Funding: This temporary position has an end date of August 31, 2027. Extension is contingent upon continued funding and project needs. Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife? When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents. In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following: 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 Applicant Instructions Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application. Required Documents CV/ Resume Cover letter List of references Certifications/ additional documentation 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. The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of twelve universities, eight state agencies, a comprehensive health science center, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS. The A&M System is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each employee. Each member institution provides equal opportunity and access to all students, employees and prospective employees. External Applicants - Applicants not currently employed by a Texas A&M System member may Search Postings and apply for positions within one or more A&M System members by selecting the job posting. Internal Applicants - This site lists job postings throughout The Texas A&M University System. It is intended for applicants not currently employed by a member of the system. Current employees should apply for jobs on the Internal Career site. The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Soil & Crop Sciences or a related field.
• Ability to obtain U.S. Driver’s License
• Be able to work under adverse conditions, such as high heat and humidity.
• Manages time effectively and prioritizing tasks to meet project deadlines.
• Maintains detailed, accurate lab notebooks and documentation.
• Ability to write reports, present findings, and communicate with scientific colleagues or farmers.
• Makes necessary laboratory solutions, including adjusting pH and molarity.
• Prepare media and culture microorganisms in sterile conditions to prevent contamination.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects greater than 50 lbs.
• Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accurate detection and identification of diseases.
• Ability to identify fungal, bacterial, and viral plant pathogens through microscopy and physical or molecular characterization.
• Knowledge of diseases, insects, and pests affecting pecans and hickories.
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction), qPCR (quantitative PCR), and DNA sequencing.
• Tissue culture (micropropagation) on difficult species.

Nice To Haves

• Possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience participating in plant pathology, genetics, agricultural, or field research
• BSL1+ Laboratory Experience (preferably Microbiology or Plant Biology)
• Research with fruit/nut tree crops
• Pruning tower operation

Responsibilities

• Culture bacterial or fungal isolates from diseased pecan tissue, maintain and transfer cultures for long-term viability, maintains chemical and biological inventory of the lab.
• Performs field ratings of pest presence, disease severity, pecan phenology, and tissue collection and post-processing (including imaging).
• DNA/RNA extractions from plant/microbial tissue, PCR amplification, Sequencing library preparation, DNA/RNA sequencing.
• Assists in the inventory, sample preparation, pest management, and maintenance of an herbarium collection of pecan and hickory leaves and nuts.
• 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
• Career Level: Entry Level