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Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Uvalde

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Uvalde, 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 (https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/)

+ Texas A&M AgriLife Research

+ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University (https://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/)

+ Texas A&M Forest Service

+ Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/)

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 (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/) to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

Postdoctoral Research Associate will perform independent and collaborative research to evaluate the mode-of-action of a chemical and identify targeted biological pathways from hypothesized mechanisms and evaluate potential risks. Research will be conducted in a team environment and will likely involve use of growth chambers, greenhouses, or open fields.

Responsibilities:

+ Conduct research related to plant and/or microbial response to chemicals in greenhouse and field production systems

+ Design and execute experiments, analyze data, and interpret results

+ Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at professional meetings

+ Participate in a collaborative team research project related to soil and plant response to agronomic chemicals to determine the mode-of-action

+ Perform independent research with a focus on plant responses to chemical treatments in both greenhouse pots and open field production systems

+ Prepare, collect and organize samples for growth, food/feed quality, mineral or biochemical analysis

+ Use analytical equipment (soil/root/plant sensors, chlorophyll fluorescence, etc.) and process samples using standard laboratory analytical techniques (e.g., nutrient extraction, pH, EC), experience with DNA extraction and transcriptomics beneficial

+ Evaluate data and summarize results for preparation in peer reviewed publications including use of simple to complex statistical analysis.

+ Compose and write scientific publications, progress and annual/final reports for grants

+ Supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and other lab personnel in research

+ Travel between Uvalde and College Station to interact with PI's based in the Soil and Plant Sciences Department which requires a valid driver's license

+ Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

+ PhD degree in soil science, horticulture, agronomy, plant physiology, or closely related field

+ Strong background and research experience in soil, plant physiological, or microbial analysis

+ Ability to conduct independent research in controlled environment systems

+ Strong ability to formulate hypothesis, design experiments, handling scientific data, perform statistical analysis, and writing scientific reports

+ Evidence of publications in peer-reviewed journals

+ Excellent English written and oral communication skills required to perform job duties effectively

+ Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

+ Proven organizational skills

+ Ability to effectively communicate with faculty, students, and staff

+ Ability to drive and travel independently or in groups

Preferred Qualifications:

+ Experience in the cultivation of plants (e.g., tomato, corn) in greenhouse (hydroponic, soil culture) and field conditions, or experience to conduct soil microbial research

+ Experience in the measurement of nutrients, growth metrics, and plant physiology/morphology or microbial activity

+ Experience in monitoring plant and microbes for stress, nutrition, health

+ Ability to identify and control plant pests and diseases

+ Experience conducting incubation and/or plant growth experiments and strong skills associated with experiment design, sample preparation/analysis, data analysis and manuscript preparation

+ Experience with -omics technologies (e.g., transcriptomics)

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Other Requirements:

+ Ability to lift or move heavy loads up to 50 pounds

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Required Documents: Cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae stating education, experience and qualifications, and a list of three references with contact information are required. Failure to provide all required documents could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.

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 (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/) 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.