Published Date: 07-12-2023.
Job TitlePostdoctoral Research Associate
AgencyTexas A&M Agrilife Research
DepartmentAmarillo
Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate
Job LocationBushland, Texas
Job TypeStaff
Job Description
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be responsible to conduct research to develop a novel RNA therapy using virus induced gene silencing/VIGS approach against tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and western flower thrips (WFT).This position will be responsible for conducting research in Entomology, Insect Vector Biology, and Plant Virology under the supervision of Dr. Kiran Gadhave.
Responsibilities:
- Conducts research in Entomology/Insect Vector Biology/Plant Virology under the supervision of Dr Kiran Gadhave.
- Conducts research with a focus to develop a novel RNA therapy using virus induced gene silencing/VIGS approach against tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) and western flower thrips (WFT).
- Independently leads the research project focused on developing and testing virus infectious clones targeting critical TSWV/WFT genes/sequences and evaluates their efficacy against TSWV and WFT.
- Designs, plans and executives experiments, analyzes data, and writes manuscripts.
- Manages research project, orders supplies, maintains equipment, ensures compliance with safety, and reporting requirements.
- Will be responsible to drive an agency vehicle to research sites.
- Mentors students
- Performs other project related duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience:
- Ph.D. in Entomology, Plant Pathology or Molecular Biology.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Experience in insect vector-plant pathogen interactions.
- Experience working with thrips and thrips transmitted viruses, VIGS, RNAi, designing/conducting qRT-PCR assays, transcriptomics, insect behavioral and fitness assays and developing/evaluating infectious clones of plant viruses.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Must have hands-on skills and expertise in using molecular biology techniques (nucleic acid extraction, cloning, RT-qPCR, confocal/inverted microscopy, Agro-infiltration, library construction, recombinant protein expression and purification, hybridization, ELISA and protein-based assays etc.)
- Experience with designing and executing pathogen/insect transmission experiments in lab and greenhouse conditions.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with experience in writing scientific manuscripts are expected.
- Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
Other Requirements:
- Must be capable to work under hot greenhouse conditions.
The successful candidate must answer all questions and attach a resume/CV.
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.
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