Research Assistant

Texas A&M • College Station, TX

19d • $3,750 • Onsite

About The Position

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.

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.
• This position involves regular exposure to tree nuts.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.

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