Postdoctoral Research Associate
Listed on 2026-08-05
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Research/Development
Genetics / Genomics, Research Scientist
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Texas A&M Agri Life Research
Job Location:
College Station, Texas
Job Type: Staff
Job Description:
About Texas A&M Agri Life:
Texas A&M Agri Life is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:
- Texas A&M Agri Life Extension Service
- Texas A&M Agri Life 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 Agri Life 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 Agri Life is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.
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.
Required
Education:
Ph.D. in genetics, molecular biology, entomology, biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, microbiology, genomics, or a closely related field. Doctoral training should include substantial research experience in molecular genetics, genome engineering, insect genetics, DNA repair, vector biology, or a related area relevant to the position.
Preferred Education:
Ph.D. with dissertation or postdoctoral research focused on insect genetics, Drosophila melanogaster, gene drive systems, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, DNA repair mechanisms, or transgenic model organisms. Advanced training in one or more of the following areas is preferred: molecular cloning, functional genomics, transgenesis, population genetics, or biosafety practices for genetically modified organisms. Training or coursework in quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, genomic data analysis, statistics, or computational analysis of sequencing/genotyping data is also…
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