Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Poultry Science

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,583.34 monthly

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!

Position Information

The postdoctoral fellow will conduct research on Campylobacter species, including C. coli, C. jejuni, and C. hepaticus. Research topics include poultry food safety, spotty liver disease, antibiotic alternatives, and host immune responses.

Primary research activities will include:

• Collection, isolation, and characterization of field strains of Campylobacter

• Development of improved differential and selective culture media

• Design and evaluation of candidate subunit vaccines

• Identification and evaluation of protective compounds and antibiotic alternatives

• Testing candidate interventions using in vitro and in vivo challenge models to assess pathogen colonization and host immune function

The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with faculty, graduate students, and technical staff in the Departments of Poultry Science and Animal Science at Texas A&M University and will collaborate with scientists from the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research projects

• Design and perform laboratory and animal experiments

• Analyze microbiological, molecular, microbiome, and bioinformatics data

• Contribute to manuscript preparation and publication in peer-reviewed journals

• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals and research reports

• Mentor and train graduate and undergraduate students

• Assist with preparation and maintenance of regulatory compliance documentation and protocols related to animal welfare, biosafety, and environmental health and safety.

• Coordinate with laboratory personnel to maintain inventory and procure research supplies.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Poultry Science with a strong microbiology focus

• Experience conducting both basic (e.g., molecular biology, microbiome analysis, bioinformatics) and applied research (e.g., animal and industry field trials)

• Demonstrated training and proficiency in working with risk group 2 pathogens in BSL-2 and ABSL-2 facilities

Other Requirements

In order to be considered for this position prior to your doctoral degree being conferred, please attach a letter from your school’s official Graduate Office, Registrar’s Office or PhD Committee Chair certifying that all requirements for the doctoral degree have been met and stating the degree conferral date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Peer-reviewed publication record commensura