Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the role

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will support research in the Vegetable Breeding Program at Uvalde, focusing on genomics, tissue culture, integrated pest management, agronomy, and breeding of cultivars for vegetable crops. They will assist Dr. Subas Malla in managing the logistics, reporting, communication, outreach, organization, and budget oversight for the 4-year USDA NIFA SCRI onion project and the TDA-SCBG onion and watermelon projects.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage research trials for the USDA NIFA SCRI onion project
• Manage and direct all administrative functions for the 4-year USDA NIFA SCRI onion project
• Serve as the point of contact and liaison for other university offices, colleges, and other agencies involved in subcontracts with Texas A&M University System
• Coordinate and facilitate quarterly meetings with the USDA NIFA SCRI onion project team
• Coordinate one in-person meeting per year with team, Stakeholder Advisory Panel (SAP), and Stakeholders at a conference such as the National Onion Association or National Allium Research Conference meetings
• Provide administrative support for all grant project faculty, staff, and administrators involved in the USDA NIFA SCRI onion project
• Assemble project plans and teamwork assignments in collaboration with PD and co-PIs on the SCRI project to monitor work efforts, identify resource needs, assess work quality, and troubleshoot issues accordingly
• Maintain and report progress as appropriate
• Create, track, and manage timelines and related tasks to ensure effective implementation of the SCRI project goals and objectives
• Avoid and address issues as necessary
• Develop workflows and models to standardize and improve outputs, e.g., workflow diagrams, policies and procedures, timelines, and reporting
• Conduct whole genome structural and functional analysis in vegetable crops
• Manage marker-assisted selection in vegetable crops and collect plant samples from the field, greenhouse, and nethouse which requires a driver's license to drive a state vehicle to the field
• Harvest onion bulbs and watermelon fruits in the field, greenhouse, and nethouse which requires the ability to exert heavy force and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Select onion bulbs and watermelon fruits for crossing and/or advance generation
• Design crossing blocks
• Plant onion bulbs/watermelon seeds for crossing blocks
• Develop breeding populations
• Collect multi-location field, greenhouse, and nethouse data and maintain database which requires a driver's license to drive vehicles for possible overnight stays
• Analyze multi-environment trial data using relevant statistical software
• Attract and assist in grants and contracts to support the Vegetable Breeding program in Uvalde
• Publish work in peer-reviewed journals
• Travel to and attend work related meetings and present research findings at various meetings outside of Uvalde which requires a driver's license to drive a state vehicle or rental car
• Mentor graduate students in research and training
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology or Agronomy
• Ability to work individually and by interacting with internal and external teams
• Understanding of the genetics and breeding principles of open-pollinated vegetable crops
• Proficiency in whole genome structural and functional analysis
• Understanding of lipid profiling and seed physiology
• Proficiency in biochemical assays for abiotic and biotic tolerance
• Proficiency in data management and the use of office software such as spreadsheets, and word processing
• Strong organizational skills, excellent communication skills, and report-writing skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships at the center, within the agency, the university, outside universities, and other organizations and stakeholders involved in the USDA NIFA SCRI onion project
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

Qualifications

• Two years of related professional experience in plant breeding and supervisory experience

Skills

• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Report-writing skills
• Ability to work individually and by interacting with internal and external teams
• Understanding of the genetics and breeding principles of open-pollinated vegetable crops
• Proficiency in whole genome structural and functional analysis
• Understanding of lipid profiling and seed physiology
• Proficiency in biochemical assays for abiotic and biotic tolerance
• Proficiency in data management and the use of office software such as spreadsheets, and word processing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships at the center, within the agency, the university, outside universities, and other organizations and stakeholders involved in the USDA NIFA SCRI onion project
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

Benefits

Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications. Additional benefits include:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Pay

Commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time