Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture-Project Management

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,166.66 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, IHA

The Texas A&M AgriLife, IHA, is the world’s first academic institute to bring together precision nutrition, responsive agriculture, and social and behavioral research to reduce diet-related chronic disease and lower health care costs in a way that supports producers and the environment.

• Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture

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!

Position Information

We are seeking a candidate with expertise in targeted and untargeted metabolomics, analytical chemistry, and statistical analysis. The postdoctoral fellow will focus areas that improve nutritional qualities in crops using plant genetics, genomics, metabolomics, ionomics, biofortification and functional genetics studies. The objective of this research project is to understand the genetic basis of polyphenolic compound production in pecans and pears by studying metabolomics, transcriptomics, and post-harvest physiology. Previous experience with tree nuts or fruits would be highly beneficial, but experience in other crops will also be considered. Additional experience in transcriptomics, and basic molecular techniques such as DNA/RNA isolation, PCR and qPCR and statistical analysis using R or python based packages would be preferred. The position is available at the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture (IHA) based on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, TX. The incumbent postdoc will work with USDA-ARS scientists at the Responsive Agricultural Food Systems Research Unit (RAFSRU) co-housed at the IHA, and will collaborate with the Department of Horticulture at Texas A&M. Our research environment is guided by collaboration, mentorship, and a supportive culture that encourages personal and professional growth.

Responsibilities:

• In consultation with the PI, designs and executes experiments.

• Prepares samples for metabolite and micronutrient analysis of tree crops.

• Performs statistical analysis of metabolite and micronutrients.

• Establishes laboratory protocols for metabolite analysis.

• Leads and coauthors the writing of research-based publications.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD degree in any of the following: plant biology, plant physiology, analytical chemistry, genetics, biotechnology, food science, or other closely related fields.

• Must be within 5 years of obtaining a PhD degree.

• Ability to work both independently and as a team member.

• Expertise in targeted and untargeted metabolomic analyses.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Desire and ability to work collaboratively and help maintain a supportive environment for all team members.

• Highly organized and detail oriented.

• Ability to multi-task and establish effective working relationships.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with basic molecular biology techniques such as DNA and RNA isolation, PCR and qPCR, gel electrophoresis.

• Experience with transcriptomic analysis and coexpression gene network analysis.

• Understanding of polyphenol based chemical compounds, pathways, and metabolites.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to lift or move light, moderate, and heavy objects. Ability to exert light force.

• Work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends as needed.

What You Need to Know

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

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

Applicant Instructions

Please send a copy of your CV, cover letter describing your interest in this position, and names of three professional references. Eligible candidates must be within 5 years of obtaining their PhD degree.

Required Documents:

CV/ Resume

Cover letter

List of references

Certifications/ additional documentation

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.