Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Weslaco

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Weslaco, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at Weslaco (https://weslaco.tamu.edu/) Mandadi lab is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct cutting-edge research and develop new technologies for crop improvement.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at Weslaco houses scientific research, public outreach, and education programs. The Center is a regional hub for all Texas A&M AgriLife activity. It is one of 13 AgriLife Centers across the state - each focusing on issues specific to their region. It is located in Weslaco, Texas (https://www.weslacotx.gov/community/about/index.php) .

The Postdoctoral Research Associate's responsibilities will include playing an active role in research, including project/program conceptualization, development, implementation, and evaluation. Participates in grant proposal development and engages in career development and training opportunities. The successful candidate will conduct basic and translational research related to plant diseases and crop improvement.

Essential Duties:

• Responsible for conducting translational research and developing new technologies to improve stress resilience and/or quality of food and commodity crops.

• Responsible for preparing manuscripts for publication and conferences, writing grant proposals and project reports.

• Train and mentor junior lab personnel.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in plant pathology, breeding, crop science, or related field.

• Research experience in areas such as plant pathology, entomology, crop science, breeding, biotechnology.

• Record of high-impact publications, product development, or technology commercialization.

• Experience with breeding, genome editing, biotechnology, and/or crop improvement tools.

• Experience with agronomic crops and field production systems.

• Strong writing, verbal, and interpersonal/communication skills.

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with diverse cropping systems, pests, diseases.

• Working knowledge of CRISPR/genome editing, NGS, and/or the latest genomics-assisted breeding approaches for crop improvement.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Cover Letter - required

• Resume – required

• Reference- contact information for 3 references

• Academic Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts accepted)

This is a grant funded position; c ontinued employment in this position is contingent upon availab ility of fundi ng.

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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies 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, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service.If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you.

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/extension-home/)

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/college-home/)

• Texas A&M Forest Service

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/tvmdl-home/)

  Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners.

• Prospective employee benefits

• Retirement programs

• Commitment to inclusive excellence (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/)

• Strategic plan