Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Entomology

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 how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Job Responsibilities:

Experimental Design and Execution

- Design, conduct, and troubleshoot experiments evaluating gene drive efficiency, DNA repair pathway usage, and transgene removal in Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti. Generate and evaluate CRISPR/Cas9-based constructs, guide RNAs, donor plasmids, direct-repeat systems, and gene drive braking strategies. Perform genetic crosses, embryo injections or injection preparation, transgenic line screening, fluorescence-based phenotyping, and molecular validation of repair outcomes.

Molecular and Genomic Analysis

- Analyze DNA repair outcomes using PCR, sequencing, genotyping, HRMA, Sanger-based editing analysis, nanopore sequencing, and related molecular approaches.

-Evaluate homing, end-joining, SSA, indel formation, and resistant allele frequencies across different genomic locations.

-Interpret results in the context of chromosomal position and repair pathway.

Transgenic Line Development and Mosquito/Fly Genetics

- Develop, maintain, and characterize transgenic insect lines for studies of gene drive and transgene removal.

-Conduct controlled crosses, population studies, inheritance assays, and phenotypic screening to assess drive transmission, and transgene excision.

-Ensure all genetically modified insect work is performed in accordance with approved biosafety and containment protocols.

Data Analysis, Documentation, and Reporting

- Maintain accurate experimental records, analyze quantitative genetic and molecular data, prepare figures and summaries, and present findings to the principal investigator and research team.

-Contribute to interpretation of experimental results and refinement of project strategy based on observed gene conversion, repair, and inheritance outcomes.

Manuscript, Grant, and Collaborative Research Support

- Prepare and contribute to manuscripts, progress reports, grant-related documents, conference abstracts, and presentations.

-Collaborate with laboratory members and external collaborators on experimental planning, data interpretation, high-throughput assay development, and publication of research findings.

Performs Other Duties as Assigned

- Assist with general laboratory operations, training of students or staff, maintenance of insect stocks and research materials, compliance documentation, and other duties necessary to support the research program.

Required Education:

- Ph.D. in genetics, molecular biology, entomology, biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, microbiology, genomics, or a closely related field. Doctoral training should include substantial research experience in molecular genetics, genome engineering, insect genetics, DNA repair, vector biology, or a related area relevant to the position.

Preferred Education:

-Ph.D. with dissertation or postdoctoral research focused on insect genetics, Drosophila melanogaster, gene drive systems, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, DNA repair mechanisms, or transgenic model organisms. Advanced training in one or more of the following areas is preferred: molecular cloning, functional genomics, transgenesis, population genetics, or biosafety practices for genetically modified organisms. Training or coursework in quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, genomic data analysis, statistics, or computational analysis of sequencing/genotyping data is also preferred.

Preferred Experience:

-Experience conducting molecular genetics, genome engineering, or functional genomics research in an academic, government, or industry laboratory setting.

-Experience designing, cloning, and validating plasmid constructs, donor templates, guide RNAs, or related genome-editing reagents.

-Experience performing molecular biology techniques such as PCR, genotyping, gel electrophoresis, Sanger sequencing analysis, and sequence validation.

-Experience collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and documenting experimental data accurately and independently.

-Experience preparing scientific reports, presentations, manuscripts, or grant-related materials.

-Experience working in a collaborative research environment and communicating results to a principal investigator, laboratory team, or external collaborators.

-Experience working with Drosophila melanogaster, or other genetically tractable organisms.

-Experience designing controlled genetic crosses, screening progeny, maintaining laboratory colonies or stocks, and analyzing inheritance patterns.

-Experience with CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, DNA repair assays, transgenesis, or related genetic engineering approaches.

-Experience with homing gene drive systems, split-drive systems, or transgene removal.

-Experience analyzing DNA repair outcomes, including homology-directed repair, end joining, microhomology-mediated end joining, single-strand annealing, indel formation, or resistant allele generation.

-Experience with embryo microinjection, transgenic line generation, fluorescence-based phenotyping, or high-throughput genetic screening.

-Experience with HRMA, nanopore sequencing, Sanger trace analysis, or other methods for evaluating genome-editing outcomes.

-Experience conducting population cage studies, inheritance assays, or multigenerational genetic experiments.

-Experience working under institutional biosafety protocols for genetically modified organisms or arthropod containment.

Required Skills, Knowledge, or Abilities:

-Ability to design, execute, troubleshoot, and interpret complex genetic and molecular biology experiments.

-Ability to work with genetically modified insects or other laboratory model organisms in accordance with biosafety and containment requirements.

-Skill in molecular biology techniques, including PCR, genotyping, cloning, sequencing analysis, and construct validation.

-Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, organize experimental workflows, and manage multiple research priorities independently.

-Ability to analyze quantitative data, prepare figures, summarize findings, and communicate results clearly to scientific audiences.

-Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external collaborators. Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to contribute to manuscripts, presentations, reports, and grant-related materials.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, or Abilities:

-Knowledge of Drosophila melanogaster, or other vector/model insect systems.

-Knowledge of molecular genetics, genome engineering, insect genetics, and DNA repair mechanisms.

-Knowledge of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, homology-directed repair, end joining, and single-strand annealing concepts.

-Knowledge of homing gene drives, split-drive systems, transgene removal, and gene drive mitigation strategies.

-Ability to analyze inheritance patterns, gene conversion outcomes, transgene excision, indel formation, and related molecular data. Knowledge of chromosomal p