Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Amarillo

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Bushland, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be responsible for conducting research in Entomology, Insect Vector Biology, and Plant Virology under the supervision of Dr. Kiran Gadhave.

Responsibilities:

• The Postdoctoral Research Associate will independently lead the research project focused on (1) surveillance of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in major tomato and pepper growing regions of the US (2) studying transmission biology of TSWV and identify strategies to disrupt TSW disease cycle and thrips transmission (3) evaluate the impact of cultural practices on TSWV/thrips incidence, severity, and management.

• Responsible for designing, planning, and executing experiments, analyzing data and writing manuscripts, managing research project, ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, ensuring compliance with safety, and reporting requirements, mentoring students, and performing other project related duties as assigned.

  Required Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in Entomology, Plant Pathology or Molecular Biology.

  ​ Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience working on thrips transmitted diseases, familiarity with tomato and pepper genetics, and TSWV/thrips genomics.

  Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must have hands-on skills and expertise in using molecular biology techniques (nucleic acid extraction, cloning, RT-qPCR, Agro-infiltration, library construction, ELISA, and protein-based assays etc.) as well as experience with designing and executing pathogen/insect transmission experiments in lab, greenhouse, and field conditions.

• Experience in insect vector-plant pathogen interactions and a background in designing and conducting qRT-PCR assays, transcriptomics, deep sequencing of viral populations, viral disease ecology and epidemiology and insect behavioral and fitness assays.

• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with experience in writing scientific manuscripts are expected. Must be capable to work under hot greenhouse and field conditions.

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

  The successful candidate must attach a resume/CV and answer all questions.

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.