Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency
Texas A&M University

Department
Large Animal Clinical Sciences

Proposed Minimum Salary
$4,166.67 monthly

Job Location
College Station, Texas

Job Type
Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who we are

The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) is an institution that represents 100 years of growth from a small school of veterinary medicine in 1916 to its present role as a major veterinary educational, medical, and research center. Today, we are one of the largest schools of veterinary medicine in the United States, training nearly 600 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students each year. We support collaboration and teamwork that turns today's discoveries into proactive solutions for animals, humans, and the environment. Together, we strive to support the goals of the faculty, staff and students in teaching, research and outreach programs.

What we want

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work in the Large Animal Clinical Sciences department and provide technical advice and support in the following areas: developing/performing/troubleshooting immunoassays, determining the function of selected genes in Streptococcus equi including in vitro and in vivo studies, generating/interpreting data and preparing data for analysis, writing/assisting with manuscripts and grant proposals.

What you need to know

Salary: $50,000/annually

Please note: This position is grant funded; future employment may be contingent upon future funding.

Responsibilities

- Research Support: Assists with writing reports for funding agencies. Prepares manuscripts. Performs immunity and infection studies in horses and mice, including sample collection. Analyzes gene and amino acid sequences of bacterial proteins. Deletes genes in streptococcal bacteria. Assists with writing grant proposals. Performs bacterial cell culture, CRISPR-Cas9, intracellular killing assays, colony immunoblot. Performs mammalian cell culture (both primary cells and cell lines), macrophage killing assays, opsonophagocytic assays, ELISAs, ELISpot, C1q deposition, western blot, etc. Assists with sample collection and procedures for animal experiments.
- Data Management: Performs data generation/retrieval/analysis/interpretation.
- Lab Maintenance: Assists with laboratory maintenance (cleaning, inventory, ordering supplies, etc.
Continuing Education: Attend seminars and related learning opportunities.

Qualifications

Required Education:

- Appropriate PhD in veterinary medicine or biomedical science or DVM or DVM-equivalent degree

Preferred Qualifications:

- Veterinarian with a PhD in the areas of microbiology and/or infectious diseases
- Strong critical thinking skills and core knowledge of immunology, infectious diseases, and host-pathogen interactions
- Experience with both basic and applied research (in vitro and in vivo experiments, immunogenicity studies and vaccine optimization)
- Interest in contributing to the developing vaccines and strategies to control and prevent infectious diseases in animals, with emphasis on streptococcal infections of horses
- Scholarly publications and strong communication skills
- Experience with mammalian and bacterial cell culture, and immunoassays (ELISA). Experience with animal models and common procedures used in animals (blood collection, etc.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Ability to effectively use a computer and applicable software (Microsoft Office, GraphPad, Zoom, etc.)

- Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

- Animal handling (adult horses and foals, mice; etc.)

- Diagnostic and molecular microbiology

- Developing and delivering scientific presentations (poster and/or oral)

- Manuscript, abstract, and grant proposal writing

- Technical skills: ELISA, conventional and real-time PCR, western blot, bacteriology (MIC, quantitative culturing), monoclonal antibody development and labeling (HRP and biotin), and flow cytometry

Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

- Medical, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/medical/) prescription drug, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/prescriptions-express-scripts/) dental, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/dental/) vision, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/vision-insurance/) life and AD&D, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/life-add/) flexible spending accounts (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/flexible-spending-accounts/) , and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/long-term-disability/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

- 12-15 days (https://service.tamu.edu/TDClient/45/Portal/KB/Article/1793/University-Holiday-Calendar) of annual paid holidays

- Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://service.tamu.edu/TDClient/45/Portal/KB/Article/1794/Sick-Leave)  and at least  eight hours of paid vacation (https://service.tamu.edu/TDClient/45/Portal/KB/Article/1757/Vacation)  each month

- Automatic enrollment in the  Teacher Retirement System of Texas (https://www.trs.texas.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx)

- Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)

- Professional Development: All employees have access to free  LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/)  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

- Educational release time and tuition assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance)  for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

- Living Well, (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/) a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

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.