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

Job Description Summary
This position will work elucidating the feeding responses of mosquitoes Aedes aegypti to toxins and compounds provided in association with the blood meal-feeding site. The overarching goal is to identify microbe-mosquito-host interactions and the mechanisms involved, as well as identifying molecules that may interfere with mosquito taste perception.

Job Responsibilities
-Behavioral assays will be used to record the feeding patterns of mosquitoes, aided by automation.
-Investigate the effect of these toxins and/or toxicants in the mosquito digestive system through immunohistochemistry, analysis of gene expression and/or in situ hybridization. Experience with some, if not all these techniques is required. Opportunities exist for learning cell culture, so knowledge of this is preferred.
-Work in a highly technical laboratory with modern equipment for insect physiology, toxicology, molecular biology and biochemistry, and many opportunities exist for learning techniques applied to blood-feeding vectors and other professional development opportunities. This individual will work closely with a second postdoctoral associate and thus is expected to work well in a team environment.
-Other duties as assigned.

Required Education:
-Ph.D. in entomology, molecular biology/ biochemistry, biology, or a closely related field.

Preferred skills, knowledge or abilities.
-Experience handling mosquitoes, insect bioassays and computing basic skills are needed to operate the automated system (will be trained).
-Attention to detail, fine motor skills for handling sensitive precision equipment, and for dissections of mosquitoes is required. As this work involves dissecting and seeing very tiny tissues and body parts under the microscope, and distinguishing minor changes in the same, good vision for observation is a requirement for this job. It is expected the postdoc will be qualified to perform biochemical calculations necessary for these experiments.
Skills are needed in statistics for data analyses (correlations, rank order, etc.), and for the use of a plate reader.
Ability to work collaboratively with other laboratory members (graduate and undergraduate students, postdocs)
-Write manuscripts for Q1 journals in a timely fashion.
-Ability to see clearly in order to conduct experiments
-Ability to work seated for several hours as behavioral experiments with mosquitoes may last hours.
-Ability to use high dexterity in the use of fine forceps, microscopy, handling liquid nitrogen.

Required special knowledge, skills and abilities:
-Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, ability to prepare clear and detailed reports, prepare power point presentations of research.
-Ability to aid the PI in writing and submitting proposals according to deadlines.

-Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others.

Please attach to your completed application:

CV/Resume

List of 3 References with email and daytime phone number.

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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.