Research Assistant

Job Title

Research Assistant

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Horticultural Sciences

Proposed Minimum Salary

$3,750.00 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Job Responsibilities:

• 50 %: Plant Pathology Research – Culture bacterial or fungal isolates from diseased pecan tissue, maintain and transfer cultures for long-term viability, maintains chemical and biological inventory of the lab.

• 25 %: Field Ratings – Performs field ratings of pest presence, disease severity, pecan phenology, and tissue collection and post-processing (including imaging).

• 15 %: Genetics Research – DNA/RNA extractions from plant/microbial tissue, PCR amplification, Sequencing library preparation, DNA/RNA sequencing.

• 5 %: Preserved Specimen Collection Maintenance – Assists in the inventory, sample preparation, pest management, and maintenance of an herbarium collection of pecan and hickory leaves and nuts.

• 5 %: Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Soil & Crop Sciences or a related field.

Preferred Experience:

• Possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience participating in plant pathology, genetics, agricultural, or field research

• BSL1+ Laboratory Experience (preferably Microbiology or Plant Biology)

• Research with fruit/nut tree crops

• Pruning tower operation

Required licenses or certifications:

• Ability to obtain U.S. Driver’s License

Required skills, knowledge or abilities:

• Be able to work under adverse conditions, such as high heat and humidity.

• Manages time effectively and prioritizing tasks to meet project deadlines.

• Maintains detailed, accurate lab notebooks and documentation.

• Ability to write reports, present findings, and communicate with scientific colleagues or farmers.

• Makes necessary laboratory solutions, including adjusting pH and molarity.

• Prepare media and culture microorganisms in sterile conditions to prevent contamination.

• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects greater than 50 lbs.

• Exceptional attention to detail to ensure accurate detection and identification of diseases.

• Ability to identify fungal, bacterial, and viral plant pathogens through microscopy and physical or molecular characterization.

• Knowledge of diseases, insects, and pests affecting pecans and hickories.

• PCR (polymerase chain reaction), qPCR (quantitative PCR), and DNA sequencing.

• Tissue culture (micropropagation) on difficult species.

Additional requirements:

This position involves regular exposure to tree nuts.

What You Need to Know

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.

Position Funding: This temporary position has an end date of August 31, 2027. Extension is contingent upon continued funding and project needs.

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.