Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M University System · College Station · $100,000 (stated in the posting)

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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 Dass Microbial Ecology Laboratory studies how pathogens and antimicrobial resistance move across wildlife, livestock, food systems, and people. The postdoctoral researcher will develop and apply molecular and genomic tools to identify ticks, mosquitoes, flies, and mites of veterinary and public health importance, detect the pathogens they carry, and monitor insecticide and acaricide resistance and other traits relevant to control. The work combines specimen collection and colony maintenance with qPCR based detection, resistance marker screening, and transcriptomic and sequencing analysis, and supports the laboratory's federally funded biosurveillance portfolio, which includes tick surveillance and transboundary livestock pests such as New World screwworm. Anticipated effort is 75% research, 15% writing and reporting, and 10% mentoring.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, optimize, and validate qPCR and other nucleic acid based assays for arthropod species identification, pathogen detection, and screening of resistance associated mutations.

• Maintain arthropod colonies and process field collected specimens, including sorting, preservation, and sample tracking records.

• Characterize insecticide and acaricide susceptibility through bioassays and molecular analysis of resistance mechanisms, including target site mutations and gene expression.

• Apply RNA sequencing, amplicon, and metagenomic approaches to characterize arthropod transcriptomes, microbiomes, and viromes.

• Move assays into the laboratory's tiered detection workflow (qPCR screening, digital PCR confirmation, and nanopore sequencing) and validate them against field, environmental, and reference samples.

• Analyze data in R and command line tools, and maintain reproducible scripts and records under the laboratory data management policy.

• Work with field, bioinformatics, and modeling collaborators to interpret results and provide decision support to surveillance partners.

• Lead first author manuscripts and contribute to sponsor reports, conference presentations, and new proposals.

• Train graduate and undergraduate students in arthropod handling and molecular methods.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Entomology, Molecular Biology, Parasitology, Veterinary Science, Microbiology, or a closely related field, completed by the start 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 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.

Other Requirements:

• In order to be considered for this position prior to your doctoral degree being conferred, please attach a letter from your school’s official Graduate Office, Registrar’s Office or PhD Committee Chair certifying that all requirements for the doctoral degree have been met and stating the degree conferral date.
• This position is funded through grants or contracts. Continued employment is dependent upon ongoing funding and satisfactory job performance. 
• Training and Career development: Training on the laboratory's digital PCR and nanopore sequencing platforms will be provided as needed. The postdoctoral researcher will receive mentoring in grant writing and independent research and will work with federal, national laboratory, and university partners.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation is commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications.

Position Funding: This position is funded through grants or contracts. Continued employment is dependent upon ongoing funding and satisfactory job performance.

Important Notice Regarding H1-B Sponsorship:

Your employment at Texas A&M AgriLife may require nonimmigrant sponsorship. A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Texas A&M AgriLife will NOT pay this fee. If the fee is imposed on your petition, this offer of employment will be revoked. If actions taken during your employment result in the imposition of this fee, your employment will be terminated. To the extent that this statement conflicts with any applicable System or member Policy, Regulation, or Rule, this statement will control. We recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense regarding potential implications.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

Benefits and Leave:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance (AgriLife contributes to premiums)
• 12–15 annual paid holidays
• Up to 8 hours/month sick leave and at least 8 hours/month vacation
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative
• Access to ongoing professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs

How to Apply

Applications must include all job application data or a complete resume. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Applicants are encouraged to upload a resume or use LinkedIn to prepopulate application fields.

Required Documents:

• CV
• Cover Letter
• List of References

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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