Research Associate

Texas A&M • Dallas, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Associate will be an integral member of the turfgrass breeding team and contribute to developing and genetically characterizing warm- and cool-season turfgrasses with enhanced adaptation, stress tolerance, disease resistance, and turfgrass quality. Under general supervision, the position works across breeding and population development, phenotyping, molecular analysis, sequencing, and genetic interpretation to support turfgrass improvement.

The role includes developing breeding populations and genetic diversity panels; characterizing populations with molecular laboratory methods and DNA sequencing; evaluating traits under field and controlled-environment conditions; integrating phenotypic and molecular data; and identifying genetic variation and genomic regions associated with important traits. The Research Associate will also publish and present research, prepare sponsor progress reports, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students. The position is based in Dallas, Texas, is not eligible for remote work, and includes travel to field sites. Funding is anticipated through September 30, 2029, and continued employment depends on funding availability and satisfactory performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Horticulture, Agronomy, Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field, plus 2 years of related experience in plant breeding, genetics, or molecular biology; or a master's degree or higher in one of these fields or a related field.
• Experience performing controlled crosses for progeny population development.
• Experience phenotyping biotic or abiotic traits.
• Experience with DNA and RNA extraction and PCR.
• Experience preparing samples for next-generation sequencing.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to keep detailed and timely records and data.
• Ability to travel to various field site locations.
• Ability to lift or move light, moderate, or heavy objects.
• Ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with advanced phenotyping technologies, including drones and other phenotyping platforms.
• Experience with molecular marker analysis.
• Experience with QTL/GWAS analysis.
• Experience with bioinformatics.

Responsibilities

• Develop breeding and biparental populations and genetic diversity panels for molecular and genetic analyses in warm- and cool-season turfgrasses, including preparing parental materials, making controlled crosses, and producing progeny populations.
• Characterize populations using molecular laboratory methods and DNA sequencing, including DNA extraction and quantification, PCR, molecular marker analysis, and preparing and submitting samples for next-generation sequencing.
• Evaluate progeny populations for traits such as drought and salinity tolerance under field and controlled-environment conditions.
• Publish research in peer-reviewed journals, present at scientific meetings as needed, prepare sponsor progress reports, collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams, and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
• Integrate phenotypic and molecular data to investigate genetic variation and identify genomic regions associated with important turfgrass traits.
• In collaboration with the plant genomics program, develop molecular markers and conduct linkage and QTL analysis, genetic mapping, and application of genomic information to turfgrass breeding.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, with AgriLife contributing to premiums.
• 12–15 annual paid holidays.
• Up to 8 hours per month of sick leave.
• At least 8 hours per month of vacation.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Employee Wellness Initiative.
• Access to ongoing professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level