Research Scientist

at  Texas AM University Kingsville

Job Title
Research Scientist
Agency
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Department
Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Environmental Sciences
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Kingsville, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Job Summary
The Research Scientist, under general supervision, designs, performs, and analyzes experiments. Mentors students on analyzing and preparing data results. This position will be located in Beltsville Maryland.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Designs, performs, and analyzes experiments consistent with project objectives. Conducts independent research aligned with the TAMUS member’s mission. Keeps detailed records of procedures and data on laboratory notebook and/or electronically.
Mentors students and interns on analyzing and preparing data results.
Develops procedures to improve efficiency and accuracy of plant pathogen detection or therapy methods.
Keeps up-to-date on scientific research via reading of literature, etc. Attends scientific meetings and seminars for research enhancement and personal development.
Prepares data for publication and presentation at scientific conferences and meetings. Writes manuscripts for peer-review journals in English and conceives ideas for grants and proposals to acquire external funding.
Coordinates and communicates laboratory activities with other members of the facility to work harmoniously with others.
Maintains laboratory instrumentation and follows applicable safety standards according to the policies from the facility located at the USDA Beltsville Maryland Laboratory.
Implements or validates newer molecular techniques or procedures such as qPCRs, rapid amplifications of cDNA ends (RACE), isothermal amplification, and other current molecular diagnostic techniques.
Becomes familiar with the growth, maintenance, and production of NAPPRA (Not Admissible Pending Pest Risk Analysis) crops.
Prepares RNA samples for high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and compares diagnostic results with other diagnostic methods.
Compares HTS bioinformatic data results with standard molecular diagnostic methods to ascertain the accuracy of diagnostic techniques.
Detects viral pathogens using HTS and molecular diagnostic methods, characterizes the pathogens, and performs validation experiments.
Implements and validates plant tissue culture techniques for better in vitro growth and therapies to clean plant material from plant viruses and other plant pathogens.
The above represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Other duties may be assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Education - Ph.D. in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience - Six years of related experience.
Preferred Requirements
Knowledge of - Knowledge of appropriate laboratory and technical equipment. Knowledge of statistical analyses and statistical analyses software. Knowledge of research in practical and/or basic sciences and scientific publications.
Ability to - Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. Ability to present information clearly and concisely. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently once given a project.
Communication skills - Excellent communication skills, collaborate with other team members.
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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer

Please refer the Job description for details