Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Entomology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

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
• 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.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Job Responsibilities:

Experimental Design and Execution

- 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.

Molecular and Genomic Analysis

- 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.

Transgenic Line Development and Mosquito/Fly Genetics

- 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.

Data Analysis, Documentation, and Reporting

- 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.

Manuscript, Grant, and Collaborative Research Support

- 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.

Performs Other Duties as Assigned

- 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.

Required Education:

- 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.

Preferred Education:

-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 is preferred: 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 is also preferred.

Preferred Experience:

-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.

Required Skills, Knowledge, or Abilities:

-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.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, or Abilities:

-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.

Please attach to your completed application:

-Resume/CV

-List of references with email and daytime phone numbers.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• 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

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.