Research Associate

Job Title

Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Entomology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M AgriLife 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 AgriLife 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 AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

We are seeking a Research Associate to work on projects related to screwworm biology, especially as it relates to Sterile Insect Technique. Coordinate with research colleagues in the Department of Entomology (Dr. Keyan Zhu Salzman, Dr. Jeffery Tomberlin, others) on a project conducted by a team of researchers evaluating alternative radiation sources for the implementation of Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to control screwworm flies and other control strategies.   Coordinate activities with Dr. Suresh Pillai and his team at the National Center for Electron Beam Research at Texas A&M University, and other colleagues at Texas A&M University and the USDA.

Responsibilities:
-Design, plan, conduct, and coordinate experiments in support of screwworm SIT project(s)

-Conduct biological assays associated with e-Beam, X-ray, and gamma radiation-treated blow flies.

-Rearing/maintenance of blow fly colonies

-Evaluate, select, and apply standard techniques of routine research; keep detailed records of data.

-Use computers and laboratory or technical equipment to perform data analysis, statistical analysis, and technical evaluation of research experiments and results

-Summarize results for scientific and clientele-oriented publications.

-Install, operate, and/or repair research equipment

-Assist in basic lab management and insect care, as necessary.

-Other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
-Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
-Two years of related professional experience in insect rearing in a lab setting, particularly blow fly rearing.

Preferred Qualifications:

-Master's in Entomology, Biology or equivalent.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

-Ability to effectively communicate with faculty, students, and staff.

-Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

-Detail-oriented with the ability to organize tasks and prioritize work with minimal supervision.

-Familiarity with appropriate laboratory and/or technical equipment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

-Experience with life history trait analyses.

-Experience with experimental design and statistical analysis with biological systems.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays  
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas  
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

Required Documents

-Resume/CV

-List of References with email and daytime phone number(s)

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.