Full-Time
Research Associate
Updated on 9/3/2026
Texas A&M University System
Texas public university system
No salary listed
College Station, TX, USA
In Person
Bachelor's, Master's
Category
 Academic & Institutional Research (1) |
|---|
Required Skills
Data Analysis
Requirements
- A 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.
- 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.
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 polymerase chain reaction, genotyping, sequencing preparation, gel electrophoresis, fluorescence screening, high-resolution melting analysis, 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 laboratory 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.
Desired Qualifications
- A 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 high-resolution melting analysis, Sanger sequencing analysis, nanopore sequencing preparation, inverse polymerase chain reaction, or other genotyping or 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, polymerase chain reaction, 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, 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, polymerase chain reaction, 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.
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