Research Associate Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Ph.D. in genetics, molecular biology, entomology, biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, microbiology, genomics, or a closely related field.
• Doctoral training should include substantial research experience in molecular genetics, genome engineering, insect genetics, DNA repair, vector biology, or a related area relevant to the position.
• Ability to design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret complex genetic and molecular biology experiments.
• Ability to work with genetically modified insects or other laboratory model organisms in accordance with biosafety and containment requirements.
• Skill in molecular biology techniques, including PCR, genotyping, cloning, sequencing analysis, and construct validation.
• Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, organize experimental workflows, and manage multiple research priorities independently.
• Ability to analyze quantitative data, prepare figures, summarize findings, and communicate results clearly to scientific audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external collaborators.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to contribute to manuscripts, presentations, reports, and grant-related materials.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. with dissertation or postdoctoral research focused on insect genetics, Drosophila melanogaster, gene drive systems, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, DNA repair mechanisms, or transgenic model organisms.
• Advanced training in one or more of the following areas: molecular cloning, functional genomics, transgenesis, population genetics, or biosafety practices for genetically modified organisms.
• Training or coursework in quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, genomic data analysis, statistics, or computational analysis of sequencing/genotyping data.
• Experience conducting molecular genetics, genome engineering, or functional genomics research in an academic, government, or industry laboratory setting.
• Experience designing, cloning, and validating plasmid constructs, donor templates, guide RNAs, or related genome-editing reagents.
• Experience performing molecular biology techniques such as PCR, genotyping, gel electrophoresis, Sanger sequencing analysis, and sequence validation.
• Experience collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and documenting experimental data accurately and independently.
• Experience preparing scientific reports, presentations, manuscripts, or grant-related materials.
• Experience working in a collaborative research environment and communicating results to a principal investigator, laboratory team, or external collaborators.
• Experience working with Drosophila melanogaster, or other genetically tractable organisms.
• Experience designing controlled genetic crosses, screening progeny, maintaining laboratory colonies or stocks, and analyzing inheritance patterns.
• Experience with CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, DNA repair assays, transgenesis, or related genetic engineering approaches.
• Experience with homing gene drive systems, split-drive systems, or transgene removal.
• Experience analyzing DNA repair outcomes, including homology-directed repair, end joining, microhomology-mediated end joining, single-strand annealing, indel formation, or resistant allele generation.
• Experience with embryo microinjection, transgenic line generation, fluorescence-based phenotyping, or high-throughput genetic screening.
• Experience with HRMA, nanopore sequencing, Sanger trace analysis, or other methods for evaluating genome-editing outcomes.
• Experience conducting population cage studies, inheritance assays, or multigenerational genetic experiments.
• Experience working under institutional biosafety protocols for genetically modified organisms or arthropod containment.
• Knowledge of Drosophila melanogaster, or other vector/model insect systems.
• Knowledge of molecular genetics, genome engineering, insect genetics, and DNA repair mechanisms.
• Knowledge of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, homology-directed repair, end joining, and single-strand annealing concepts.
• Knowledge of homing gene drives, split-drive systems, transgene removal, and gene drive mitigation strategies.
• Ability to analyze inheritance patterns, gene conversion outcomes, transgene excision, indel formation, and related molecular data.
• Knowledge of chromosomal position effects, meiotic recombination, recombination landscapes, haplolethal gene targeting, and resistant allele formation.
• Skill in fluorescence-based phenotyping, insect colony maintenance, genetic crossing schemes, and multigenerational inheritance studies.
• Skill in analyzing genome-editing outcomes using sequencing-based or genotyping-based approaches.
• Ability to integrate molecular, genetic, genomic, and population-level data to evaluate gene drive performance and transgene removal efficiency.
• Ability to develop new experimental approaches and adapt methods based on emerging project results.
• Ability to mentor or train students, technicians, or junior laboratory personnel.
• Knowledge of institutional biosafety practices related to genetically modified organisms and arthropod containment.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, and troubleshoot experiments evaluating gene drive efficiency, DNA repair pathway usage, and transgene removal in Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti.
• Generate and evaluate CRISPR/Cas9-based constructs, guide RNAs, donor plasmids, direct-repeat systems, and gene drive braking strategies.
• Perform genetic crosses, embryo injections or injection preparation, transgenic line screening, fluorescence-based phenotyping, and molecular validation of repair outcomes.
• Analyze DNA repair outcomes using PCR, sequencing, genotyping, HRMA, Sanger-based editing analysis, nanopore sequencing, and related molecular approaches.
• Evaluate homing, end-joining, SSA, indel formation, and resistant allele frequencies across different genomic locations.
• Interpret results in the context of chromosomal position and repair pathway.
• Develop, maintain, and characterize transgenic insect lines for studies of gene drive and transgene removal.
• Conduct controlled crosses, population studies, inheritance assays, and phenotypic screening to assess drive transmission, and transgene excision.
• Ensure all genetically modified insect work is performed in accordance with approved biosafety and containment protocols.
• Maintain accurate experimental records, analyze quantitative genetic and molecular data, prepare figures and summaries, and present findings to the principal investigator and research team.
• Contribute to interpretation of experimental results and refinement of project strategy based on observed gene conversion, repair, and inheritance outcomes.
• Prepare and contribute to manuscripts, progress reports, grant-related documents, conference abstracts, and presentations.
• Collaborate with laboratory members and external collaborators on experimental planning, data interpretation, high-throughput assay development, and publication of research findings.
• Assist with general laboratory operations, training of students or staff, maintenance of insect stocks and research materials, compliance documentation, and other duties necessary to support the research program.

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
• Retirement programs