- I seek a highly motivated post-doc willing to work in a state-of-the- art laboratory where supplies, facilities and equipment are available to ensure success. 

Projects are competitively funded both federally by DOD, USDA-NIFA and Texas AgriLife Research

We are discovering ligands of GPCRs and testing them in tissues and whole animals for bioactivity. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/AgriLife_Research_External/job/College-Station-TX/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate_R-056674

Conduct research activities on  hormone signal transduction in mosquitoes and ticks.  Primary focus will be on arthropod physiology, toxicology, and molecular biology with emphasis on G-protein coupled receptor functional characterization.  Endocrinological studies are performed with mosquitoes and tick tissues in vitro and in vivo. 

- Record and analyze data/results; report research through regular oral presentations and reports and publish in a timely manner in refereed journals; assist with research grant project reports; and keep abreast of all current literature on subject matter, etc. Contribute to the success and renewal of federally funded projects.

Work involves mammalian cell culture and use of robots for high-throughput screens (experience desirable but will be trained on this). Duties will include cloning and functional expression analysis of tick and fire ant G-protein coupled receptors in mammalian cells, RNA interference; calcium fluorescence and bioluminescence assays, histochemistry, quantitative (Real-time PCR), etc.; and supervision of technical staff, graduate and undergraduate students.

-Conduct research with mosquitoes of public health importance. Aid in research with ticks of medical and/or agricultural importance as secondary focus. Conduct feeding and pesticide mosquito bioassays in the laboratory.

- Other job-related duties as required.

Required Education:

Ph.D. in Entomology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology,  Genetics, Biology, Animal Physiology, or other closely related field.

Required Experience:

Some related research experience. Publications.

Preferred Experience:

Demonstrated research experience/background in bioassays, molecular biology techniques (including qRT-PCR, cloning, basic microbiology, and western blot), experimental design and basic statistical analysis. Experience with histochemistry and/or cellular techniques (tissue culture); manuscript writing experience; and have a peer-reviewed publication record. An interest in arthropod neurobiology and physiology, and experience with mosquitoes and/or other blood feeders highly desirable. Must know biochemical calculations to prepare buffers, media, solutions and correct diluitions of small molecules and peptides. 

Preferred Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

Able to analyze data statistically with either GraphPad Prism, R, SAS, etc. and graph data with SigmaPlot. 

Other Requirements or Other Factors:

Ability to travel to South Texas and Harris County. For this travel, a USA driver license may be required if not immediately, shortly upon hire.  If not able to drive will be required to accompany other researchers for tasks at the Edinburg USDA-ARS for a few days.

Ability to work in a biosafety level 2 laboratory which requires certification for this level at TAMU.

Continuation in the position will depend on performance and funds availability.

Required Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

Required are independence of thought; excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to effectively use personal computer to communicate, prepare proposals and reports of activities; ability to effectively communicate with faculty, students and staff; familiarity with appropriate laboratory and/or technical equipment; ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others;  ability to perform various molecular biology and genetic techniques; ability to analyze data and write reports; and detail oriented with ability to organize tasks and prioritize work with minimal supervision. Ability to work by standing/sitting at work bench for extended periods of time.

Please attach to your complete application:

Vita

Transcripts

Names and emails of 3 people that could be contacted as references

Indication of when you could start the position 

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.