Assistant Research Scientist

Job Title

Assistant Research Scientist

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Entomology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

• Take the lead on a project that characterizes the activity of small molecules on arthropod neuropeptide receptors.
• -Develop and execute research to determine the efficacy, inhibitory or agonistic activity of these molecules.
• Undertake chemical library screens on recombinant arthropod receptors expressed in cell lines, RNAi studies to knockdown peptides and receptors to determine their physiological role and quantifying silencing by qRT-PCR, immunolocalization of labeling analyses with tissues.
• 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; 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.
• Conduct research with ticks of medical and/or agricultural importance.
• Conduct feeding and pesticide mosquito bioassays in the laboratory.
• Other job-related duties as required.

Required Education and Experience:

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

Preferred Experience:

• 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; have a peer-reviewed publication record.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Good communication and computer skills.

Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others.

Ability to travel to South Texas and Harris County. 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.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• An interest in arthropod neurobiology and physiology, and experience with ticks, mosquitoes and/or other blood feeders.
• Knowledge of biochemical calculations to prepare buffers, media, solutions and correct dilutions of small molecules and peptides.

Please attach to your completed application:

Resume/CV

List of references with email and daytime phone numbers

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/Veterans/Disability Employer.