Postdoctoral Research Associate at Texas A&M

Job TitlePostdoctoral Research AssociateAgencyTexas A&M Agrilife ResearchDepartmentUvaldeProposed Minimum SalaryCommensurateJob LocationUvalde TexasJob TypeStaffJob DescriptionAbout Texas A&M AgriLife Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:Texas A&M AgriLife Extension ServiceTexas A&M AgriLife ResearchCollege of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M Forest ServiceTexas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic LaboratoryAs the nations largest most comprehensive agriculture program Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5000 employees and a presence in every county across the state Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives environments and the Texas economy through education research extension and service.Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!Position InformationWe are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate for the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Uvalde. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will perform independent and collaborative roles in vegetable physiology-environmental stress research requiring an advanced level of knowledge in a field of plant science predominantly intellectual and varied in character which requires consistent use of discretion and judgment. Responsibilities: Perform independent research with a focus on nutrient and water use efficiency and stress management strategies for tomato grafting using diverse pools of rootstocks and scionsConduct research under controlled environment and protected cultivation systems (growth chambers greenhouse hydroponics high tunnels) and conventional or organic fieldsParticipate in a collaborative team research project related to soil and plant nutrient uptake in spinach varieties grown in commercial fields and hydroponics systemsCollaborate in the preparation of proposals for funding agencies and industryCompose and write scientific publications progress and annual/final reports for grantsOperate research field and lab equipmentSupervise graduate students and other lab/field personnel in researchPlan conduct monitor and participate in independent and collaborative tomato and spinach research projects under protected and open field cultivation systems Use lab and field equipment (ICP HPLC gas exchange analyzer soil/root/plant sensors chlorophyll fluorescence etc.) data loggers and image processing toolsUse soil and canopy sensors to monitor soil water and nutrient status plant growth flowering yield and microclimate modificationsMaintain and calibrate laboratory and environmental stress field instrumentationMonitor and quantify major tomato insects and diseases on tomato and spinach in response to genotypes environmental modifications and soil conditionsCollect and organize samples for growth mineral or biochemical analysisHarvest plant samples from the experimental plots which requires the ability to lift or move heavy loads up to 50 poundsUtilize simple to complex statistical analysis and generate narrative and graphical reportsEvaluate data and summarize results for preparation in peer reviewed publicationsParticipate in grant applicationsPresent at growers field days CEA conferences workshops and/or horticultural professional societies meetingsOther related duties as requiredRequired Qualifications: PhD degree in horticulture agronomy plant physiology or closely related fieldStrong background and research experience in the use of environmental stress physiology instrumentation (gas exchange analyzer soil/root/plant sensors) data loggers and image processing tools to collect plant phenotypic/genotypic and environmental dataStrong ability to formulate hypothesis design experiments handling scientific data perform statistical analysis and writing scientific reports Experience in laboratory procedures for soil plant and fruit quality analysisEvidence of publications in peer-reviewed journalsExcellent English written and oral communication skillsAbility to multi-task and work cooperatively with othersProven organizational skillsAbility to effectively communicate with faculty students staff and growersAbility to drive and travel independently or in groupsPreferred Qualifications: Experience in the cultivation of tomato production systems in greenhouse high tunnels and open fieldsExperience in grafting techniques for tomatoExperience in the measurement of plant stress hormones nutrients and antioxidant compounds (ICP HPLC)Experience in measuring root traits and related software applicationsExperience in monitoring for plant stress nutrition health and biocontrol of pestsLocationUvalde is a community of 16000 people located in the Wintergarden region of southwest Texas about an hour and a half from San Antonio. Much of the surrounding land is used for irrigated agriculture although the Hill Country lies just to the north with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Center has about 150 acres of land for crop research/production and houses a staff of more than 50 people with active research programs in agronomy horticulture breeding and genetics plant biochemistry plant physiology plant pathology and wildlife disease ecology.Texas A&M AgriLife Research () is the states premier research agency in agriculture natural resources and life sciences. A member of the Texas A&M University System Texas A&M AgriLife Research collaborates with the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and many others to help fulfill the Texas A&M Systems land-grant mission of teaching research extension and service.For additional information contact Dr. Daniel Leskovar Center Director by email at or by phone at . All inquiries are confidential.What You Need to KnowSalary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidates qualifications.Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLifeWhen you choose toworkfor Texas A&M AgriLife you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide national and international constituents.In addition Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit packing including the following: Health dental vision life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums12-15 days of annual paid holidays Up to eight hours of paid sick leaveand at leasteight hours of paid vacation each monthAutomatic enrollment in theTeacher Retirement System of Texas Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLifeApplicant InstructionsApplications received by Texas A&M AgriLife 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 prepopulate the online application.Required DocumentsCover letterDetailed curriculum vitae stating education experience and qualificationsList of three references with contact informationPlease note attachments can be uploaded as one document or multiple attachments can be included.All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation and employment is contingent upon the institutions verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institutions procedures including the completion of the criminal history check.Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.Required Experience:IC Key Skills Laboratory Experience,ELISA,Immunoassays,Mammalian Cell Culture,Biochemistry,Cell Biology,Research Experience,Cell Culture,Molecular Biology,Microscopy,Research Laboratory Experience,Western Blot Employment Type : Full-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1