Research Associate

Texas A&M Agrilife Research • College Station, TX

28d • 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, and 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

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, bioengineering, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of related experience in a specialized and relevant field of research.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory research methods in molecular biology, genetics, or a related field.
• Familiarity with appropriate laboratory and technical equipment used in molecular biology, genetics, and insect research.
• Ability to effectively utilize a computer and applicable software for data analysis, recordkeeping, literature review, and scientific communication.
• Ability to follow research protocols, maintain detailed records, and ensure accuracy in experimental work.
• Ability to organize, evaluate, and summarize research data.
• Ability to exercise discretion and judgment in planning experiments, troubleshooting procedures, and interpreting results.
• Ability to manage multiple research tasks and meet project deadlines.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, students, staff, and collaborators.
• Ability to train others in routine research procedures and laboratory practices.
• Ability to work occasional weekends or after normal business hours as required by experimental schedules or insect colony needs.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in biology, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, bioengineering, or a closely related field.
• Coursework or training in molecular genetics, genome engineering, DNA repair, transgenesis, or genomics.
• Training in laboratory safety, biosafety, genetically modified organism handling, arthropod containment, or related research compliance areas.
• Experience working with Drosophila melanogaster or other laboratory model organisms.
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, transgenesis, gene drive systems, DNA repair assays, or functional genetics.
• Experience with genetic crosses, insect colony maintenance, fluorescence-based screening, phenotyping, or multigenerational inheritance studies.
• Experience analyzing DNA repair outcomes, including homology-directed repair, end joining, microhomology-mediated end joining, single-strand annealing, indel formation, or resistance allele formation.
• Experience with plasmid construction, guide RNA design, donor template preparation, embryo microinjection support, or transgenic line screening.
• Experience with HRMA, Sanger sequencing analysis, nanopore sequencing preparation, inverse PCR, or other genotyping/sequencing-based methods.
• Experience preparing scientific manuscripts, grant proposals, progress reports, conference abstracts, or presentations.
• Experience training students, technicians, or other laboratory personnel.
• Experience working under biosafety or containment protocols for genetically modified organisms or arthropods.
• Experience conducting laboratory research in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, or a related scientific field.
• Experience using standard molecular biology techniques such as molecular cloning, PCR, gel electrophoresis, genotyping, sequencing preparation, or DNA/RNA sample handling.
• Experience maintaining accurate laboratory records, organizing data, and summarizing experimental results.
• Experience using computers and applicable software for data entry, data analysis, literature review, figure preparation, and scientific communication.
• Experience operating, maintaining, or troubleshooting laboratory or technical research equipment.
• Experience working independently while following established research protocols and safety procedures.
• Experience working collaboratively with faculty, students, staff, or other research personnel.
• Knowledge of Drosophila or insect genetics.
• Knowledge of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, transgenic insect systems, gene drive concepts, and DNA repair mechanisms.
• Knowledge of homology-directed repair, end joining, microhomology-mediated end joining, and single-strand annealing.
• Skill in molecular cloning, PCR, genotyping, sequence analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and phenotypic screening.
• Skill in maintaining insect colonies, setting up genetic crosses, collecting progeny, and scoring inheritance or marker phenotypes.
• Ability to analyze genetic and molecular data related to homing, indel formation, chromosomal position effects, and repair pathway outcomes.
• Ability to assist with development and optimization of new protocols.
• Ability to prepare figures, tables, written summaries, and research updates for scientific audiences.
• Knowledge of biosafety practices related to genetically modified organisms and arthropod containment.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, conduct, and coordinate experiments supporting research on gene drive performance, DNA repair pathway usage, chromosomal position effects, and transgene removal in Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti.
• Assist with development, testing, and validation of CRISPR/Cas9 reagents, guide RNAs, donor constructs, transgenic lines, and related genome engineering tools.
• Perform genetic crosses, progeny screening, insect colony maintenance, fluorescence-based phenotyping, molecular assays, and routine troubleshooting of experimental protocols.
• Use laboratory and technical equipment to perform PCR, genotyping, sequencing preparation, gel electrophoresis, fluorescence screening, HRMA or related genotyping assays, and other molecular biology procedures.
• Analyze and summarize experimental outcomes, including inheritance patterns, homing rates, indel formation, transgene excision, DNA repair events, and resistance allele formation.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and ensure accurate documentation of equipment use, experimental data, and research results.
• Compile and summarize data for scientific manuscripts, progress reports, presentations, funding proposals, and other research documents.
• Assist with preparation of figures, tables, methods summaries, and written descriptions of experimental results.
• Contribute to proposal development and project documentation related to gene drive efficacy, DNA repair, mosquito transgenesis, and gene drive mitigation strategies.
• Train undergraduate students, graduate students, technicians, and other laboratory personnel in research procedures, insect handling, molecular biology techniques, data recording, equipment operation, and biosafety practices.
• Assist with coordinating day-to-day laboratory workflows, maintaining insect stocks and research materials, and ensuring that research activities are performed according to established protocols.
• Support compliance with institutional biosafety, genetically modified organism, and arthropod containment requirements.
• Maintain organized laboratory records, inventories, protocols, and research materials.
• Assist with routine lab organization, ordering, and preparation of supplies needed for ongoing experiments.
• Perform other duties as needed to support the research program, including weekend or after-hours work for insect colony maintenance, experimental time points, blood feeding schedules, data collection, or other project needs.

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