T

Texas A&M University System

Texas public university system

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Full-TimeUpdated
$4.2k/mo
Mid
PhD
College Station, TX, USA
In PersonField trials and sample collection across Texas as needed.
Academic & Institutional ResearchLife Sciences Research

About the job

Requirements
  • A doctorate degree is required.
  • Experience in research related to secondary metabolites of fruits and vegetables, gut microbiome, soil microbiome, and specifically tomato in relation to water use efficiency and heat tolerance is preferred.
  • A driver's license is preferred.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills are required.
  • Ability to independently design and execute experiments is required.
  • Expertise in laboratory research and analytical instrumentation is required.
  • Experience in identifying, characterizing, and functionally analyzing volatile and bioactive compounds is required.
  • Understanding of the link between abiotic and biotic stressors and secondary metabolite production, particularly in climate-resilient crops such as tomatoes, is required.
  • A proven record of peer-reviewed publications and research productivity is required.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment is required.
  • Strong teamwork and collaboration skills are required.
  • Competency in statistical analysis tools such as SAS, R, XLstat, and multivariate analysis is required.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook, is required.
  • Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed is required.
  • Ability to conduct studies independently, think innovatively, and move research forward is required.
Responsibilities
  • Lead and coordinate laboratory activities, including scheduling, supply requisition, safety, and compliance.
  • Conduct research on bioactive compounds from food sources, including metabolite identification, microbiome and nanoencapsulation systems for microbiological safety.
  • Investigate genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors influencing bioactive compounds and volatiles in fruits and vegetables.
  • Study plant disease samples to understand relationships between diseases, pests, and potential metabolites.
  • Maintain laboratory certification through record-keeping and quality assurance; collaborate with research teams, industry partners, and other experts, including participation in the tomato integrated project; and conduct field trials and collect samples across Texas as needed.
  • Develop and optimize analytical methods for bioactive compounds and assess their changes in different vegetables and fruits.
  • Train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, as well as visiting scientists.
  • Participate in grant writing, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of research through peer-reviewed publications.
  • Troubleshoot and maintain analytical instrumentation.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with LC-MS, GC-MS, Raman spectroscopy, and NMR for compound identification and metabolic profiling.
  • Familiarity with statistical modeling and computational approaches for bioactive compound analysis.
  • Knowledge of plant microbiome interactions, including host-associated and endophytic communities.
  • Knowledge of stress biology, soil microbiology, and rhizosphere microbiology.
  • Knowledge of functional microbiology.
  • Experience with next-generation sequencing, metagenomics, RNA-seq, and transcriptomics analysis.
  • Experience with multi-omics integration.
  • Experience with bioinformatics and data analysis using R and Python.
  • Experience with AI/ML-assisted biological data analysis.
  • Expertise in assay development for new compounds and ingredients.
  • Ability to manage laboratory personnel, inventory, and research projects.
  • Strong background in preparing safety manuals, analytical methods, and standard operating procedures.
  • Experience disseminating research findings through reports, presentations, and grant proposals.
  • Mentorship experience with students and laboratory members.

About the company

T

Texas A&M University System

View
Website

Texas A&M University System is a statewide public university system combining higher education, research, and public-service agencies. The system coordinates universities and state agencies that deliver teaching, research, extension, engineering, health, and community programs. It serves students, faculty, researchers, public agencies, industries, and communities throughout Texas. Its operating model centers on autonomous member institutions connected through system governance, shared services, public funding, and statewide missions. Teams work across instruction, research, healthcare, extension, engineering, technology, administration, facilities, and public service. Teams support coordinated daily delivery.

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

N/A

Founded

N/A