Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Entomology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

-Design and conduct experiments with honey bees and their associated parasites and pathogens.

-Apply molecular biology, microbiology, and omics-based approaches to study host-microbe-pathogen interactions.

-Maintain detailed laboratory records and organize computational work in the cloud.

-Write manuscripts and take the lead in publishing scientific data in peer-reviewed journals.

-Mentor undergraduate students and collaborate closely with other researchers in a collaborative environment.

-Read scientific literature and present in journal clubs and lab meetings.

-Assist with colony maintenance and routine laboratory and apiary tasks.

-Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education:

-Ph.D. in Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Entomology, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

-Ph.D. with a research focus in insect-microbe interactions, host–pathogen dynamics, or honey bee biology.

Preferred Experience:

-Experience in molecular biology and microbiology techniques.

-Experience analyzing omics data using bioinformatic tools.

-Proven record of publishing first-author peer-reviewed papers.

-Experience working with honey bee biology and/or beekeeping practices.

-Prior mentoring of undergraduate or graduate students.

Required skills, knowledge or abilities:

-Excellent organizational, communication, and teamwork skills.

-High attention to detail and commitment to laboratory safety.

-Ability to handle and lift laboratory and beekeeping equipment.

-Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to foster collaboration across departments and facilities.

-Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred skills, knowledge or abilities:

-Familiarity with honey bee experimental systems.

Please attach to your completed application:

• Curriculum Vita (including contact information from three professional references)

• Cover letter detailing your research experience, qualifications, and interest in the position

Review of applications will begin in August 2025, and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.

The position will remain open until filled.

Lab Resources: The Motta research program is equipped with two BSL-2 laboratory environments to safely work with animal-associated opportunistic pathogens and to conduct infection experiments in honey bees.

Our laboratory supports a wide range of microbial cultivation, including aerobic, anaerobic, and microaerophilic bacteria.

Facilities include:

• Anaerobic chamber and CO2 incubators

• Biosafety cabinets and growth chambers

• Molecular biology space equipped with PCR, qPCR, and laminar flow hoods

• External apiary located near the lab building, containing honey bee hives used as a consistent brood source for experiments.

This infrastructure enables both in vitro and in vivo experimentation to investigate the microbiome and host-pathogen interactions in a controlled and safe environment.

The Rangel research program is equipped with a BSL-1 laboratory space on the university’s main campus to safely work with insect-associated opportunistic pathogens and to conduct infection and molecular experiments with honey bees.

The program also manages a large apiary and laboratory facility at the RELLIS campus of Texas A&M University, which enables the manage