Postdoctoral Research Associate

Overview

Join to apply for the Postdoctoral Research Associate role at Texas A&M Agri Life Research
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About Texas A&M Agri Life comprises 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.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Texas A&M Agri Life Research and Extension Center  Postdoctoral Research Associate will perform independent and collaborative roles in vegetable physiology-environmental stress research requiring an advanced level of knowledge in a field of plant science, predominantly intellectual and varied in character which requires consistent use of discretion and judgment.

• Perform independent research with a focus on nutrient and water use efficiency and stress management strategies for tomato grafting using diverse pools of root stocks and scions
• Conduct research under controlled environment and protected cultivation systems (growth chambers, greenhouse hydroponics, high tunnels) and conventional or organic fields
• Participate in a collaborative team research project related to soil and plant nutrient uptake in spinach varieties grown in commercial fields and hydroponics systems
• Collaborate in the preparation of proposals for funding agencies and industry
• Compose and write scientific publications, progress and annual/final reports for grants
• Operate research field and lab equipment
• Supervise graduate students and other lab/field personnel in research
• Plan, conduct, monitor and participate in independent and collaborative tomato and spinach research projects under protected and open field cultivation systems
• Use lab and field equipment (ICP, HPLC, gas exchange analyzer, soil/root/plant sensors, chlorophyll fluorescence, etc.), data loggers and image processing tools
• Use soil and canopy sensors to monitor soil, water and nutrient status, plant growth, flowering, yield and microclimate modifications
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory and environmental stress field instrumentation
• Monitor and quantify major tomato insects and diseases on tomato and spinach in response to genotypes, environmental modifications and soil conditions
• Collect and organize samples for growth, mineral or biochemical analysis
• Harvest plant samples from the experimental plots which requires the ability to lift or move heavy loads up to 50 pounds
• Utilize simple to complex statistical analysis and generate narrative and graphical reports
• Evaluate data and summarize results for preparation in peer reviewed publications
• Participate in grant applications
• Present at grower’s field days, CEA conferences, workshops and/or horticultural professional societies meetings
• Other related duties as required

• PhD degree in horticulture, agronomy, plant physiology, or closely related field
• Strong background and research experience in the use of environmental stress physiology instrumentation (gas exchange analyzer, soil/root/plant sensors), data loggers, and image processing tools to collect plant phenotypic/genotypic and environmental data
• Strong ability to formulate hypothesis, design experiments, handling scientific data, perform statistical analysis, and writing scientific reports
• Experience in laboratory procedures for soil, plant and fruit quality analysis
• Evidence of publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Excellent English written and oral communication skills
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
• Proven organizational skills
• Ability to effectively communicate with faculty, students, staff and growers
• Ability to drive and travel independently or in groups

• Experience in the cultivation of tomato production systems in greenhouse, high tunnels and open fields
• Experience in grafting techniques for tomato
• Experience in the measurement of plant stress hormones, nutrients and antioxidant compounds (ICP, HPLC)
• Experience in measuring root traits and related software applications
• Experience in monitoring for plant stress, nutrition, health, and biocontrol of pests

Uvalde is a community of 16,000 people located in the Winter garden region of southwest Texas, about an hour and a half from San Antonio. The Center has about 150 acres of land for crop research/production and houses a staff of more than 50 people with active research programs in agronomy, horticulture, breeding and genetics, plant biochemistry, plant physiology, plant pathology and wildlife disease ecology.

Texas A&M Agri Life Research is the state’s premier research agency in agriculture, natural resources, and life sciences. For additional information contact Dr. Daniel Leskovar, Center Director, by email at d-leskovar or by phone at . All inquiries are confidential.

Salary:
Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s…