Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title Postdoctoral 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! Job Responsibilities: Experimental Design and Execution - Design, conduct, and troubleshoot experiments evaluating gene drive efficiency, DNA repair pathway usage, and transgene removal in Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti. Generate and evaluate CRISPR/Cas9-based constructs, guide RNAs, donor plasmids, direct-repeat systems, and gene drive braking strategies. Perform genetic crosses, embryo injections or injection preparation, transgenic line screening, fluorescence-based phenotyping, and molecular validation of repair outcomes. Molecular and Genomic Analysis - Analyze DNA repair outcomes using PCR, sequencing, genotyping, HRMA, Sanger-based editing analysis, nanopore sequencing, and related molecular approaches. -Evaluate homing, end-joining, SSA, indel formation, and resistant allele frequencies across different genomic locations. -Interpret results in the context of chromosomal position and repair pathway. Transgenic Line Development and Mosquito/Fly Genetics - Develop, maintain, and characterize transgenic insect lines for studies of gene drive and transgene removal. -Conduct controlled crosses, population studies, inheritance assays, and phenotypic screening to assess drive transmission, and transgene excision. -Ensure all genetically modified insect work is performed in accordance with approved biosafety and containment protocols. Data Analysis, Documentation, and Reporting - Maintain accurate experimental records, analyze quantitative genetic and molecular data, prepare figures and summaries, and present findings to the principal investigator and research team. -Contribute to interpretation of experimental results and refinement of project strategy based on observed gene conversion, repair, and inheritance outcomes. Manuscript, Grant, and Collaborative Research Support - Prepare and contribute to manuscripts, progress reports, grant-related documents, conference abstracts, and presentations. -Collaborate with laboratory members and external collaborators on experimental planning, data interpretation, high-throughput assay development, and publication of research findings. Performs Other Duties as Assigned - Assist with general laboratory operations, training of students or staff, maintenance of insect stocks and research materials, compliance documentation, and other duties necessary to support the research program. Required Education: - Ph.D. in genetics, molecular biology, entomology, biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, microbiology, genomics, or a closely related field. Doctoral training should include substantial research experience in molecular genetics, genome engineering, insect genetics, DNA repair, vector biology, or a related area relevant to the position. Preferred Education: -Ph.D. with dissertation or postdoctoral research focused on insect genetics, Drosophila melanogaster, gene drive systems, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, DNA repair mechanisms, or transgenic model organisms. Advanced training in one or more of the following areas is preferred: molecular cloning, functional genomics, transgenesis, population genetics, or biosafety practices for genetically modified organisms. Training or coursework in quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, genomic data analysis, statistics, or computational analysis of sequencing/genotyping data is also preferred. Preferred Experience: -Experience conducting molecular genetics, genome engineering, or functional genomics research in an academic, government, or industry laboratory setting. -Experience designing, cloning, and validating plasmid constructs, donor templates, guide RNAs, or related genome-editing reagents. -Experience performing molecular biology techniques such as PCR, genotyping, gel electrophoresis, Sanger sequencing analysis, and sequence validation. -Experience collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and documenting experimental data accurately and independently. -Experience preparing scientific reports, presentations, manuscripts, or grant-related materials. -Experience working in a collaborative research environment and communicating results to a principal investigator, laboratory team, or external collaborators. -Experience working with Drosophila melanogaster, or other genetically tractable organisms. -Experience designing controlled genetic crosses, screening progeny, maintaining laboratory colonies or stocks, and analyzing inheritance patterns. -Experience with CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, DNA repair assays, transgenesis, or related genetic engineering approaches. -Experience with homing gene drive systems, split-drive systems, or transgene removal. -Experience analyzing DNA repair outcomes, including homology-directed repair, end joining, microhomology-mediated end joining, single-strand annealing, indel formation, or resistant allele generatio