Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Essential Duties of Job: 

Develop and validate eDNA assays to detect bat species occurrence from environmental samples such as water, soil, and air filters, taking each assay from design through validation and into the laboratory's three-tier detection workflow of qPCR, digital PCR, and nanopore sequencing. Though the primary job location is in College Station, the successful candidate will travel to field sites in south Texas to collect samples and assist with acoustic monitor deployment and maintenance.

Responsibilities:                                                             

• Design and validate molecular assays, including evaluating performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, and reliability.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction and quality control on environmental samples, incorporating appropriate controls to manage inhibition and contamination.
• Apply and optimize molecular detection methods (e.g., qPCR, digital PCR, sequencing) and interpret the results with strong analytical rigor.
• Coordinate with field teams to plan and execute sampling efforts, ensuring adherence to study design, sample integrity, and proper documentation.
• Analyze complex datasets and communicate findings through peer-reviewed publications, reports, and presentations to scientific and stakeholder audiences.
• Maintain high standards of data management, reproducibility, and record keeping in accordance with responsible conduct of research.
• Mentor students and junior personnel and support the advancement of the broader research program.

Required Qualifications: 

PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, wildlife ecology, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Hands-on experience with nucleic acid extraction from environmental or other complex samples.
• Working knowledge of PCR and primer or probe design.
• Understanding of how to optimize an assay for sensitivity and specificity, including controls for inhibition and contamination.
• Careful documentation and a methodical approach to validation.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work early mornings and walk/hike for extended periods while carrying a field pack; positive attitude in adverse environmental conditions such as fire ants, chiggers, rattlesnakes, feral pigs, normal daily temperatures of over 90°F, intense sun, thick and thorny brush, and steep and rocky terrain.

• Experience with eDNA or environmental metabarcoding, digital PCR, multiplex assay design, or nanopore based detection.
• Field sampling and chain of custody handling for environmental samples.
• Validation of assays against field data
• Curation of reference panels or sequence databases.
• Experience working alongside bioinformatics and field teams to interpret results.
• A record of peer reviewed publications.
• Experience deploying autonomous recording units (e.g., acoustic monitors) for wildlife research.
• Experience with capture/handling wildlife, especially bats.
• Experience driving 4WD vehicles.
• Experience in field navigation and spatial data collection using GPS. 

Required licenses, certifications, or registrations: 

Ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.

What You Need to Know

Position Funding: This position is grant funded and availability is contingent on grant funding.

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.