Research Associate, Research Assistant​/Associate, Research Scientist

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Position Information

Position Title

Position Title Research Associate

Division

Division College of Agriculture

Department

Department Agricultural Science

Number of hours per week

Number of hours per week 37.5

Days to be worked

Months per year

Months per year Fiscal (12 months)

If modified, list months

Job Type

Job Type Full-Time

Campus

Campus Main Campus

If other location, please indicate

Position Number

Position Number 121130

Advertised Salary

Pay Basis

Pay Basis Monthly

Job Description

Tennessee State University is seeking a Research Associate for Agricultural Sciences and

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide technical leadership and laboratory management for a research program investigating the molecular mechanisms governing legume–rhizobium symbiosis. The successful candidate will conduct supervised and semi-independent laboratory, growth chamber, greenhouse, and field research while supporting a multidisciplinary research team consisting of postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, undergraduate students, and visiting trainees. The laboratory manager will help ensure the efficient operation of the laboratory and contribute to the development of high-quality research products, publications, and future grant proposals.

The incumbent will perform the following duties and other related responsibilities as assigned:

Perform molecular biology, microbiology, and plant biology experiments including nucleic acid extraction, PCR and qRT- PCR , cloning, plasmid construction, CRISPR vector assembly, bacterial transformation, electrophoresis, microbial culturing, microscopy, and other routine molecular techniques.

Assist with generation, maintenance, and phenotyping of transgenic and mutant plant lines, including Medicago truncatula receptor mutants and peptide over-expression lines.

Maintain collections of rhizobial strains, plasmids, barcoded bacterial populations, seed stocks, and other laboratory resources, ensuring accurate inventory, documentation, and long-term storage.

Assist with experiments involving competitive rhizobial colonization assays, bacterial community analyses, receptor–ligand studies, and other molecular and genetic approaches supporting the CAREER research objectives.

Generate high-quality experimental data suitable for peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and future grant applications.

Maintain detailed electronic laboratory notebooks and laboratory databases for protocols, primers, plasmids, microbial collections, seed inventories, sequencing data, and experimental records.

Coordinate routine laboratory operations including ordering supplies, equipment maintenance, reagent preparation, and ensuring compliance with institutional laboratory safety regulations.

Train and supervise undergraduate, graduate, and high school researchers in molecular biology, microbiology, plant science, and laboratory safety procedures, fostering a collaborative and supportive research environment.

Assist the Principal Investigator in organizing laboratory meetings, coordinating research activities among personnel, and maintaining efficient laboratory workflows including travel coordination and reimbursements.

Participate in greenhouse, growth chamber, and occasional field experiments as required by the research program.

Minimum Qualifications

M.S. degree in Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related life science discipline.

At least one year of laboratory experience involving molecular biology techniques such as PCR , qRT- PCR , recombinant DNA technology, plasmid construction, cloning, nucleic acid extraction, and microbial culture techniques.

Experience working with plants, plant-associated microorganisms, or molecular genetics is preferred. OR Experience with CRISPR technologies, plant transformation, bacterial genetics, microscopy, bioinformatics, or high-throughput sequencing analyses is desirable but not required.

Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills with demonstrated attention to detail.

Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.

Demonstrated ability to work independently while managing multiple projects and deadlines.

Willingness to learn new experimental techniques and participate in professional development opportunities.

Open Date

Open Date 07/29/2026

Close Date

Close Date 08/12/2026

Job Category

Job Category Administrative/Professional

Requisition Number

Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and more.

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