Research Specialist I

Job Title

Research Specialist I

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Plant Pathology & Microbiology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Experimental design & execution - plan and conduct molecular biology, plant transformation, and tissue-culture workflows,

• Perform pathogen and nematode disease assays,

• Collect and analyze phenotypic and molecular data.

• Advanced analytical techniques - operate and maintain HPLC, GC/GC-MS, LC-MS, and NMR instruments to profile secondary metabolites (e.g.sesquiterpenoids).

• Genomics & bioinformatics - extract high-quality DNA/RNA from challenging plant/fungal tissues,

• Carry out PCR, RT-PCR, qPCR, cloning, and sequence analysis,

• Curate datasets in Sequencher, FieldBook, and JMP.

• Lab management & compliance - oversee chemical and biosafety-level 1 procedures,

• Maintain equipment (growth chambers, imaging systems),

• Manage inventories

• Mentor undergraduate assistants.

• Reporting & Communication - draft SOPs, technical reports, and manuscript sections; prepare figures; present findings at internal and external meetings.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a closely related field.

• Four years of related experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Detail oriented.

• Ability to work in a collaborative research environment,

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively with others.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, or Abilities:

• Lab management skills: chemical safety, record-keeping, ordering, equipment upkeep.

• Ability to mentor junior personnel.

• Software skills: Fieldbook or equivalent electronic notebook, ImageJ, Microsoft Office, basic statistical analysis in JMP/R/Excel.

• At least 5 years hands on research experience in a molecular-plant science laboratory OR an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the competencies listed below:

• Plant genetic transformation and tissue-culture maintenance (cotton or other crops),

• DNA/RNA isolation from recalcitrant tissues and downstream PCR/qPCR workflows,

• Design and execution fo plant disease assys with fungi, bacteria, and/or nematodes,

• Proficiency with at least one chromatographic or spectrometric platform (HPLC, GC-MS, LC-MS, NMR).

• Experience with Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizoctonia solani, Verticillium dahliae, Xanthomonas citri, or plant-parasitic nematodes.

• Familiarity with gene-editing or gene silencing technologies and defense-chemistry pathways (e.g. gossypol, FOV7)

• Demonstrated record of contributing to peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations.

• Working knowledge of bar-coding/labeling software (e.g., BarTender) and high throughput phenotyping or imaging systems.

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.