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

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
• •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 joining AgriLife!

Position Information

Job Summary:

The Postdoctoral Research Associate, under general supervision, conducts research in aquatic animal nutrition and health, focusing on improving feed formulations, evaluating the impact of dietary treatments on fish health, and the sustainability of aquaculture production systems. The position involves designing and conducting nutritional studies, evaluating alternative feed ingredients and functional feed additives, and investigating their effects on growth performance and intestinal health. Research will be performed at the Aquaculture Research and Teaching Facility, located a 10-minute drive from the main campus. The selected candidate will contribute to scientific publications, research proposals, and the mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students.

Responsibilities:

Research Planning and Experimental Design

• •Develop and implement research projects addressing aquatic animal nutrition, feed formulation, feeding strategies, and fish health.
• •Design controlled experiments to evaluate nutrient utilization, alternative feed ingredients, functional feed additives, and their effects on production performance and physiological responses.
• •Conduct literature reviews, formulate research hypotheses, and develop experimental protocols.

Experimental Research and Laboratory Activities

• •Conduct feeding trials and research studies using fish and other aquatic organisms under controlled laboratory and production conditions.
• •Prepare experimental diets, manage feeding trials, and collect biological samples for nutritional, physiological, and health assessments.
• •Perform laboratory analyses related to proximate composition, digestive physiology, intestinal health, and immune responses.
• •Monitor experimental conditions, ensure accurate data collection, and maintain compliance with institutional research and safety requirements.
• •Collaborate with the principal investigator and other researchers to establish research protocols.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• •Organize, process, and analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical methods.
• •Interpret results obtained from feeding trials and from physiological responses of tissues.
• •Prepare figures, tables, and technical summaries to communicate research findings.
• •Maintain organized research records, datasets, and laboratory documentation to ensure data quality and reproducibility.

Scientific Publications and Research Dissemination

• •Prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• •Present research findings at scientific conferences, professional meetings, and other appropriate venues.
• •Contribute to technical reports and research summaries for funding agencies and industry stakeholders.
• •Collaborate with research partners in preparing and disseminating scientific findings.

Research Proposals and Project Development

• •Assist in developing research proposals to secure extramural funding.
• •Contribute to the preparation of scientific justifications, experimental methodologies, and supporting documentation for grant applications.
• •Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams to identify new research opportunities and develop projects addressing aquaculture industry needs.
• •Assist with technical progress reports and documentation required by funding agencies.

Student Mentoring and Research Coordination

• •Provide technical guidance and training to undergraduate and graduate students involved in research projects.
• •Assist students with experimental procedures, sample collection, laboratory techniques, and data analysis.
• •Coordinate research activities with laboratory personnel and collaborators to support timely completion of research objectives.
• •Promote adherence to laboratory safety procedures, research integrity, and responsible conduct of research.

Other Duties

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• •Ph.D. in Aquaculture, Animal Nutrition, Fisheries Science, Animal Science, Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• •Knowledge of experimental design, scientific research methods, and statistical analysis.
• •Knowledge of aquatic animal nutrition, physiology, or health.
• •Experience conducting laboratory or animal-based research.
• •Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate scientific data.
• •Demonstrated ability to prepare scientific manuscripts, technical reports, or other research documents.
• •Proficiency in commonly used computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical software.
• •Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• •Ability to work independently and cooperatively with multidisciplinary research teams.
• •Ability to manage multiple research activities and meet established deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• •Ph.D. with a research emphasis in aquatic animal nutrition, fish physiology, aquatic animal health, or a closely related field.
• •Experience designing and conducting feeding trials with fish or other aquatic organisms.
• •Experience in aquaculture feed formulation, feed ingredient evaluation, nutrient digestibility, or feed additive research.
• •Experience performing laboratory analyses related to digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, or immune responses.
• •Experience with molecular biology techniques, gene expression analysis, or intestinal microbiome characterization.
• •Proficiency in statistical analysis using R, SAS, or comparable software.
• •Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• •Experience preparing research proposals and collaborating on externally funded research projects.
• •Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students.
• •Familiarity with the culture and nutritional requirements of commercially important aquaculture species, including catfish, red drum, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, tilapia, or shrimp.
• •Valid driver’s license.

Other Requirements:

• •Ability to work beyond normal business hours and on weekends when necessary to conduct feeding trials, maintain experimental animals, or collect samples.
• •Ability to work in laboratory, aquaculture facility, and outdoor research environments.
• •Ability to work under variable environmental conditions, including heat, humidity, and exposure to water.
• •Ability to perform moderate lifting (21-50 lbs.), including moving equipment, feed bags, and research materials, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• •Ability to follow institutional animal care, laboratory safety, and biosafety procedures.
• •Ability to travel occasionally to research facilities, collaborator institutions, scientific conferences, or field locations.
• •This position is funded through grants or contracts. Continued employment is dependent upon ongoing funding and satisfactory job performance.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation is commensurat