Research Associate

About the role

The Research Associate will provide technical leadership and laboratory management for a research program investigating the molecular mechanisms governing legume-rhizobium symbiosis. The incumbent will conduct laboratory, growth chamber, greenhouse, and field research while supporting a multidisciplinary research team.

Responsibilities

• Perform molecular biology, microbiology, and plant biology experiments including nucleic acid extraction, PCR and qRT-PCR, cloning, plasmid construction, CRISPR vector assembly, bacterial transformation, electrophoresis, microbial culturing, microscopy, and other routine molecular techniques.
• Assist with generation, maintenance, and phenotyping of transgenic and mutant plant lines, including Medicago truncatula receptor mutants and peptide overexpression lines.
• Maintain collections of rhizobial strains, plasmids, barcoded bacterial populations, seed stocks, and other laboratory resources, ensuring accurate inventory, documentation, and long-term storage.
• Auxiliary in experiments involving competitive rhizobial colonization assays, bacterial community analyses, receptor-ligand studies, and other molecular and genetic approaches supporting the CAREER research objectives.
• Generate high-quality experimental data suitable for peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and future grant applications.
• Maintain detailed electronic laboratory notebooks and laboratory databases for protocols, primers, plasmids, microbial collections, seed inventories, sequencing data, and experimental records.
• Coordinate routine laboratory operations including ordering supplies, equipment maintenance, reagent preparation, and ensuring compliance with institutional laboratory safety regulations.
• Train and supervise undergraduate, graduate, and high school researchers in molecular biology, microbiology, plant science, and laboratory safety procedures, fostering a collaborative and supportive research environment.
• Aid the Principal Investigator in organizing laboratory meetings, coordinating research activities among personnel, and maintaining efficient laboratory workflows including travel coordination and reimbursements.
• Participate in greenhouse, growth chamber, and occasional field experiments as required by the research program.

Requirements

• M.S. degree in Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, or a closely related life science discipline.
• At least one year of laboratory experience involving molecular biology techniques such as PCR, qRT-PCR, recombinant DNA technology, plasmid construction, cloning, nucleic acid extraction, and microbial culture techniques.
• Experience working with plants, plant-associated microorganisms, or molecular genetics is preferred.
• Experience with CRISPR technologies, plant transformation, bacterial genetics, microscopy, bioinformatics, or high-throughput sequencing analyses is desirable but not required.
• Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills with demonstrated attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Willingness to learn new experimental techniques and participate in professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include an M.S. degree in a relevant field and at least one year of laboratory experience involving molecular biology techniques.

Skills

• Knowledge of molecular biology, microbiology, and plant biology techniques.
• Ability to maintain laboratory resources and manage laboratory operations.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.

Benefits

• Tennessee State University offers a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave, sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans, and more.