Agrilife Research
Research Associate
College Station, TX · Contract
Sponsorship not specified$12k-$15kDetected 7 days ago
Data AnalysisComputer VisionBioinformaticsPCRCRISPRMicroscopyMolecular BiologyResearchLab ResearchPublic Speaking
About the role
- 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.
- Assist with development, testing, and validation of CRISPR/Cas9 reagents, guide RNAs, donor constructs, transgenic lines, and related genome engineering tools.
- Analyze and summarize experimental outcomes, including inheritance patterns, homing rates, indel formation, transgene excision, DNA repair events, and resistance allele formation.
Responsibilities
- Research and Experimental Support
- Design, plan, conduct, and coordinate experiments supporting research on gene drive performance, DNA repair pathway usage, chromosomal position effects, and transgene removal in Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti.
- Perform genetic crosses, progeny screening, insect colony maintenance, fluorescence-based phenotyping, molecular assays, and routine troubleshooting of experimental protocols.
- Use laboratory and technical equipment to perform PCR, genotyping, sequencing preparation, gel electrophoresis, fluorescence screening, HRMA or related genotyping assays, and other molecular biology procedures.
- Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and ensure accurate documentation of equipment use, experimental data, and research results.
- Compile and summarize data for scientific manuscripts, progress reports, presentations, funding proposals, and other research documents.
- Contribute to proposal development and project documentation related to gene drive efficacy, DNA repair, mosquito transgenesis, and gene drive mitigation strategies.
- Support compliance with institutional biosafety, genetically modified organism, and arthropod containment requirements.
- Maintain organized laboratory records, inventories, protocols, and research materials.
- Performs Other Duties as Assigned
Requirements
- Two years of related experience in a specialized and relevant field of research.
- Experience training students, technicians, or other laboratory personnel.
- Experience working under biosafety or containment protocols for genetically modified organisms or arthropods.
- Experience conducting laboratory research in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, or a related scientific field.
- Experience using standard molecular biology techniques such as molecular cloning, PCR, gel electrophoresis, genotyping, sequencing preparation, or DNA/RNA sample handling.
Nice to have
- Master's degree in biology, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, bioengineering, or a closely related field.
- Coursework or training in molecular genetics, genome engineering, DNA repair, transgenesis, or genomics.
- Training in laboratory safety, biosafety, genetically modified organism handling, arthropod containment, or related research compliance areas.
- Experience working with Drosophila melanogaster or other laboratory model organisms.
- Experience with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, transgenesis, gene drive systems, DNA repair assays, or functional genetics.
- Experience with genetic crosses, insect colony maintenance, fluorescence-based screening, phenotyping, or multigenerational inheritance studies.
- Experience analyzing DNA repair outcomes, including homology-directed repair, end joining, microhomology-mediated end joining, single-strand annealing, indel formation, or resistance allele formation.
- Experience with plasmid construction, guide RNA design, donor template preparation, embryo microinjection support, or transgenic line screening.
Skills
- Knowledge of standard laboratory research methods in molecular biology, genetics, or a related field.
- Familiarity with appropriate laboratory and technical equipment used in molecular biology, genetics, and insect research.
- Ability to organize, evaluate, and summarize research data.
- Ability to exercise discretion and judgment in planning experiments, troubleshooting procedures, and interpreting results.
- Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, students, staff, and collaborators.
- Ability to train others in routine research procedures and laboratory practices.
- Ability to work occasional weekends or after normal business hours as required by experimental schedules or insect colony needs.
- Knowledge of Drosophila or insect genetics.
- Knowledge of homology-directed repair, end joining, microhomology-mediated end joining, and single-strand annealing.
- Skill in molecular cloning, PCR, genotyping, sequence analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and phenotypic screening.
Compensation
- 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
Benefits
- Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
- 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
- Required Education:
- Bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, bioengineering, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Preferred Education:
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Company info
- Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!
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