Postdoctoral Research Associate (Molecular Genomics)

Location: College Station, Texas, United States

Company

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is part of the Texas A&M University System and conducts agriculture and life sciences research, education, extension, and service.

What you will do

• Develop, optimize, and validate qPCR and other nucleic acid-based assays for arthropod identification, pathogen detection, and resistance-associated mutations.
• Maintain arthropod colonies and process field-collected specimens, including sorting, preservation, and sample tracking.
• Characterize insecticide and acaricide susceptibility through bioassays and molecular analysis of resistance mechanisms.
• Apply RNA sequencing, amplicon, and metagenomic approaches to characterize arthropod transcriptomes, microbiomes, and viromes.
• Integrate assays into qPCR, digital PCR, and nanopore sequencing workflows and validate them against field, environmental, and reference samples.
• Analyze data in R and command-line tools, collaborate with field, bioinformatics, and modeling partners, write manuscripts and reports, and train students.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Entomology, Molecular Biology, Parasitology, Veterinary Science, Microbiology, or a closely related field, completed by the start date. Candidates whose doctoral degree has not yet been conferred must provide official certification that all degree requirements have been met and state the conferral date.
• Laboratory experience with nucleic acid extraction, PCR, and qPCR, including primer design and assay optimization.
• Experience handling, rearing, or identifying insects, ticks, or mites.
• Experience analyzing molecular or sequencing data in R or a comparable environment.
• At least one first-author, peer-reviewed publication.
• Clear scientific writing and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Nice to have

• Research on insecticide or acaricide resistance, including detection of target-site mutations.
• Experience with RNA sequencing library preparation and transcriptome or virome analysis.
• Experience with ticks, mosquitoes, or flies of veterinary or public health importance.
• Experience with qPCR reference-gene validation or other formal assay validation.
• Experience with digital PCR, multiplex assay design, or nanopore sequencing.
• Field collection or surveillance experience in livestock or wildlife settings.
• Teaching or mentoring experience.

Culture & Benefits

• Training on digital PCR and nanopore sequencing platforms is provided as needed.
• Mentoring in grant writing and independent research, with collaboration involving federal, national laboratory, and university partners.
• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance with employer premium contributions.
• 12–15 paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation leave.
• Teacher Retirement System of Texas enrollment, wellness initiatives, and professional development access.
• Employment is grant- or contract-funded and depends on ongoing funding and satisfactory performance.

Hiring process

• Submit a CV, cover letter, and list of references.
• Employment is contingent on credential verification and completion of a criminal history investigation.
• Applicants requiring H-1B sponsorship should note that applicable fees and Texas filing restrictions may affect employment eligibility.