Postdoctoral Research Associate

Location: Town of Texas

* 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 resources necessary for the research program.
* Mentor and provide technical guidance to graduate students, undergraduate students, research assistants, and visiting researchers.
* Collaborate effectively with laboratory members and multidisciplinary collaborators in entomology, plant pathology, molecular biology, genomics, breeding, epidemiology, and related disciplines.
* Ensure compliance with institutional requirements related to laboratory safety, greenhouse and field research, biological materials, biosafety, data management, and project reporting.
* Will be responsible for driving an agency vehicle or rental vehicle to research sites and meetings/conferences.
* Perform other research-related duties as assigned.
* Ph.D. in Entomology, Plant Pathology, Plant Virology, Molecular Biology, Biology, Biotechnology, or a closely related discipline.
* Valid Texas driver's license or ability to obtain within 45 days of employment.
* Demonstrated research experience in at least one area relevant to insect vector-plant pathogen interactions, plant virology, insect molecular biology, vector biology, or molecular plant…