Job Description

Research Assistant

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.

Position Information

Job Responsibilities:

• 50 %: Plant Pathology Research – Culture bacterial or fungal isolates from diseased pecan tissue, maintain and transfer cultures for long-term viability, maintains chemical and biological inventory of the lab.
• 25 %: Field Ratings – Performs field ratings of pest presence, disease severity, pecan phenology, and tissue collection and post-processing (including imaging).
• 15 %: Genetics Research – DNA/RNA extractions from plant/microbial tissue, PCR amplification, Sequencing library preparation, DNA/RNA sequencing.
• 5 %: Preserved Specimen Collection Maintenance – Assists in the inventory, sample preparation, pest management, and maintenance of an herbarium collection of pecan and hickory leaves and nuts.
• 5 %: Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Soil & Crop Sciences or a related field.

Preferred Experience:

• Possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience participating in plant pathology, genetics, agricultural, or field research
• BSL1+ Laboratory Experience (preferably Microbiology or Plant Biology)
• Research with fruit/nut tree crops
• Pruning tower operation

Required licenses or certifications:

• Ability to obtain U.S. Driver's License

Required skills, knowledge or abilities:

• Be able to work under adverse conditions, such as high heat and humidity.
• Manages time effectively and prioritizing tasks to meet project deadlines.
• Maintains detailed, accurate lab notebooks and documentation.
• Ability to write reports, present findings, and communicate with scientific colleagues or farmers.
• Makes necessary laboratory solutions, including adjusting pH and molarity.
• Prepare media and culture microorganisms in sterile conditions to prevent contamination.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects greater than 50 lbs.
• Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accurate detection and identification of diseases.
• Ability to identify fungal, bacterial, and viral plant pathogens through microscopy and physical or molecular characterization.
• Knowledge of diseases, insects, and pests affecting pecans and hickories.
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction), qPCR (quantitative PCR), and DNA sequencing.
• Tissue culture (micropropagation) on difficult species.

Additional requirements:

This position involves regular exposure to tree nuts.

What You Need to Know

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.

Position Funding: This temporary position has an end date of August 31, 2027. Extension is contingent upon continued funding and project needs.

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

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

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.

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