Postdoctoral Research Associate

Location:

Bushland, Texas

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.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct research in entomology, insect vector biology, plant virology, and vector–pathogen interactions under the supervision of Dr. Kiran Gadhave in the Gadhave Laboratory (https://tx.ag/gadhavelab) at Crop Stress Lab (Texas A&M Agri Life Research), Bushland, TX.

• Independently lead research projects focused on plant virus–insect vector interactions across molecular, organismal, and ecological scales.
• Investigate molecular mechanisms governing pathogen acquisition, establishment, dissemination, and transmission by arthropod vectors, including interactions among vector proteins, plant pathogens, and host plants.
• Conduct functional studies of candidate vector and pathogen genes using approaches such as RNA interference, virus-induced gene silencing, transient expression, protein–protein interaction assays, and other molecular or functional genomic approaches.
• Design and conduct insect acquisition and transmission experiments using plant pathogens and their arthropod vectors under controlled laboratory, growth‑chamber, greenhouse, and field conditions.
• Apply molecular diagnostic approaches, including conventional PCR, RT-PCR, RT‑qPCR/qPCR, and emerging nucleic‑acid‑based diagnostic platforms, to detect and quantify plant pathogens in insect vectors and host plants.
• Contribute to genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, small‑RNA, or other omics‑based studies aimed at identifying molecular determinants of vector competence, pathogen transmission, and host–vector–pathogen interactions.
• Conduct insect behavioral, developmental, survival, fitness, and transmission assays and integrate these measurements with molecular and pathogen‑detection data.
• Participate in research on agriculturally important vector–pathogen systems, including thrips‑transmitted viruses, aphid‑transmitted pathogens, mite‑transmitted pathogens, and other emerging insect vector–plant pathogen systems.
• Analyze experimental and high‑dimensional biological data using appropriate statistical and bioinformatic approaches and maintain accurate and reproducible research records.
• Develop experimental protocols, troubleshoot assays, interpret results, and identify new research directions arising from ongoing projects.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer‑reviewed journals and contribute to research proposals, technical reports, conference presentations, and other scientific communications.
• Present research findings at scientific meetings, seminars, stakeholder meetings, and other professional venues.
• Coordinate day‑to‑day management of assigned research projects, including experimental planning, maintenance of research organisms and biological materials, ordering supplies, managing inventories, and coordinating use and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Assist with maintenance of insect colonies, plant materials, pathogen cultures or isolates, and other biological…