Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M University Health Science Center

Department

Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Bryan, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability.  Diverse perspectives, talents and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our core values .

Who we are

As one of the fastest-growing academic health centers in the nation, the Texas A&M University Health Science Center encompasses five colleges and numerous centers and institutes working together to improve health through transformative education, innovative research and team-based health care delivery.

What we want

The Health Science Center (HSC) is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to serve as a member of the Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology team with responsibilities for conducting experiments and carrying out research projects related to NIH funded research on cytomegalovirus. There will be potential opportunities to undertake PhD studies for highly motivated applicants. This position will study and use molecular biology, immunology, tissue culture and virology techniques. Specific lab training will be provided but preferred applicants will have previous experience in one or more areas of immunology and/or tissue culture. Studies will use small animal model research and applicants must be willing to work with animals, but these duties will be limited as major focus will be bench based research. Additional duties may include supervision of graduate and undergraduate students and receiving and ordering items for the lab. This person must be professional, enjoy working in a high-volume environment and be able to apply strong organizational skills while being flexible in their daily routine. We desire an individual who subscribes to and supports our commitment as stated above. If this is you, we invite you to apply to become a member of our team!

What you need to know

Please note: This position is grant funded; future employment may be contingent upon future funding.

In accordance with the federal contractor vaccination mandate , specific facilities at The Texas A&M System may be considered a covered contractor workplace with covered contractor employees. Therefore, successful applicants for this position may be subject to the federal mandate and will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment unless an approved medical or religious accommodation is in place. 

Required Education:

• Appropriate PhD

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

• Ability to perform all tasks and job responsibilities safely without injury to self and others in a compliance with A&M System and HSC guidelines

• Provide a safe environment that fosters respect, inclusion, and equality of all faculty, staff, and students, and visitors

• Familiarity with appropriate laboratory and/or technical equipment

• Ability to effectively utilize a computer and applicable software to create databases, perform statistical analyses, present data and perform other computer related tasks

• Ability to work independently and as a team player with minimum supervision and be capable of planning an effective work day

• Knowledge of BSL-2 safety procedures

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Other Requirements or Factors:

• This position requires bending, lifting, reaching above shoulders and crouching

• Must be willing to work with small animals (guinea pigs), specific training will be provided

Preferred Education:

• PhD in Biology, Immunology, Genetics or Molecular Biology

Preferred Experience:

• Three years of relevant experience

• One year or greater experience as a Research Assistant

• Experience in genome sequencing/analysis or bioinformatics

• Experience in Immunology and/or Molecular Biology techniques

• Experience in specific immunological assays include Western blot and ELISA

• Experience in some specific Molecular Biology techniques (DNA and RNA extraction, cloning, conventional and realtime PCR)

• Experience with laboratory animals

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Basic background knowledge or practical skills in Molecular Biology or Immunology an advantage

• Candidate requires basic computer skills

• Experience in genome sequencing/analysis or bioinformatics

• Experience working with diverse individuals and communities

Responsibilities:

• Research - Directly involved in running day to day experiments and its analysis to support the main research focus of the laboratory including western blots, immunoprecipitation, ELISA, tissue culture (maintain cell line and growing up virus stocks), DNA cloning, PCR and DNA analysis. Provide support for related projects performed by the principal investigators. Daily laboratory responsibilities include supply ordering, equipment maintenance, and following safety guidelines.

• Lab Support - Provide lab support with purchasing lab consumables and other lab support duties.

• Data Analysis - Uses computers and laboratory or technical equipment to perform data analysis and statistical analysis as required.

• Collaboration - Conduct literature searches related to assigned projects; read, assess, and discuss relevant publications in the field; assist with preparation of results for publication and presentation. Prepare and communicate brief oral and/or written summaries of work when required. Assist undergraduate and/or graduate students and other laboratory, technical or field staff involved in research.

• Lab Maintenance - Maintain safe, clean, functional and organized work space, both in personal and communal space. Operates, maintains, and/or repairs research equipment. Supervise student workers in lab maintenance. Perform other duties as assigned.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University 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 pre-populate the online application.

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 committed to diversity.