Postdoctoral Research Associate

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

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 how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Job Responsibilities:

Experimental Design and Execution

- Design, conduct, and troubleshoot experiments evaluating gene drive efficiency, DNA repair pathway usage, and transgene removal in Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti. Generate and evaluate CRISPR/Cas9-based constructs, guide RNAs, donor plasmids, direct-repeat systems, and gene drive braking strategies. Perform genetic crosses, embryo injections or injection preparation, transgenic line screening, fluorescence-based phenotyping, and molecular validation of repair outcomes.

Molecular and Genomic Analysis

- Analyze DNA repair outcomes using PCR, sequencing, genotyping, HRMA, Sanger-based editing analysis, nanopore sequencing, and related molecular approaches.

-Evaluate homing, end-joining, SSA, indel formation, and resistant allele frequencies across different genomic locations.

-Interpret results in the context of chromosomal position and repair pathway.

Transgenic Line Development and Mosquito/Fly Genetics

- Develop, maintain, and characterize transgenic insect lines for studies of gene drive and transgene removal.

-Conduct controlled crosses, population studies, inheritance assays, and phenotypic screening to assess drive transmission, and transgene excision.

-Ensure all genetically modified insect work is performed in accordance with approved biosafety and containment protocols.

Data Analysis, Documentation, and Reporting

- Maintain accurate experimental records, analyze quantitative genetic and molecular data, prepare figures and summaries, and present findings to the principal investigator and research team.

-Contribute to interpretation of experimental results and refinement of project strategy based on observed gene conversion, repair, and inheritance outcomes.

Manuscript, Grant, and Collaborative Research Support

- Prepare and contribute to manuscripts, progress reports, grant-related documents, conference abstracts, and presentations.

-Collaborate with laboratory members and external collaborators on experimental planning, data interpretation, high-throughput assay development, and publication of research findings.

Performs Other Duties as Assigned

- Assist with general laboratory operations, training of students or staff, maintenance of insect stocks and research materials, compliance documentation, and other duties necessary to support the research program.

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