Research Associate

Job Title

Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Engineering

Department

Chemical Engineering

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?

Who we are

Texas A&M Engineering is a large employer in the great and growing cities of Bryan/College Station, offering thousands of career opportunities in a wide variety of fields. We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity, and service. Texas A&M Engineering offers competitive salaries, full benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.

Job Description

Purpose:

The Research Associate will play a key role in advancing the development and optimization of bioprocesses for the production of high-value Biochemical products using metabolically engineered yeast and other microbial hosts. This position requires hands-on experimental work, data analysis, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to improve process efficiency, product yield, and scalability. The role is well-suited for a detail-oriented, proactive researcher eager to contribute to cutting-edge biomanufacturing initiatives.

Responsibilities:

Experimental Design & Execution

• Support the design and implementation of experiments in microbial metabolic engineering, including:
  • Genetic and protein engineering.
  • Construction of gene knockouts and pathway modifications.
  • Application of transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data for strain optimization.
  • Development and application of metabolic modeling approaches.
• Conduct fermentation experiments at bench scale, monitoring key performance indicators (growth, yield, productivity, etc.).
• Develop and optimize molecular biology and biochemical protocols tailored to engineered strains.

Data Collection & Analysis

• Collect, organize, and analyze experimental data using statistical and computational tools.
• Apply both targeted and untargeted metabolite analysis techniques.
• Maintain accurate, detailed, and well-organized laboratory records and notebooks.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, visualizations, and presentations to share results with internal teams, collaborators, and stakeholders.

Laboratory Operations & Compliance

• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment to ensure reliability and accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations as well as University and laboratory-specific guidelines.
• Contribute to maintaining a clean, safe, and well-organized laboratory environment.

Collaboration & Communication

• Actively participate in project meetings, providing technical input and critical analysis of experimental results.
• Collaborate across disciplines (e.g., metabolic engineering, systems biology, process engineering) to advance project goals.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and recommendations clearly to supervisors and team members.

What is needed:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field
• Two (2) years of professional work experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong foundation in molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Microbial Physiology (experience with yeast required; exposure to bacteria or algae is a plus).
• Familiarity with genetic manipulation techniques, metabolic Engineering strategies, and Biochemical assays.
• Proficiency in using statistical and data analysis software.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Excellent writte