Assistant Research Scientist

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is seeking candidates for a full-time Assistant Research Scientist (R-050678) at their Weslaco Center in Weslaco, Texas. 

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is the leading research and technology development agency in Texas for agriculture, natural resources, and the life sciences. Our discoveries yield economic, environmental, and health benefits that are key to our state’s success and vital to the lives of its citizens.  AgriLife Research ranks among the top U.S. agricultural research entities with more than 500 initiatives each year in agriculture, natural resources, and life sciences. Our statewide research presence is headquartered in College Station — a central hub for collaboration with scientists and research staff at Texas A&M University System campuses and 13 regional Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Centers across Texas.  For more information on The Texas A&M AgriLife Research, please visit https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center in Weslaco houses faculty from a variety of research and extension programs, including breeding and genetics, plant biochemistry, plant pathology, horticulture, economics, range science, wildfire, and 4-H. For more information on The Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center in Weslaco, please visit https://weslaco.tamu.edu

The City of Weslaco is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 35,670, and in 2018 the estimated population was 41,171. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in the Rio Grande Valley near the Mexican border, across the Rio Grande from the city of Nuevo Progreso, Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas.  For more information on the City of Weslaco, please visit https://www.weslacotx.gov

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:  

Responsible for design, completion, and analysis of large-scale DNA/RNA sequencing, and metagenome studies. Prepare progress reports and manuscripts for publication and conferences and assist in writing grant proposals. Train lab personnel and organize genomics/bioinformatics training workshops as required. 

SUPERVISION: Kranthi Mandadi 

EDUCATION:  

Required: Ph.D., in genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or closely related field. 

Preferred: Demonstrated experience in plant genomics/bioinformatics. 

EXPERIENCE 

• Experience with the latest NGS-based plant genome/transcriptome sequencing, assembly, annotation, differential gene expression, and network analysis tools, genotyping by sequencing, genome-wide association studies, and metagenomics analyses 
• Record of high-impact publications in genomics and bioinformatics research.  

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS: 

Required:   

• Significant level of bioinformatics skills using open-source bioinformatics tools and proficiency with the latest NGS data analysis packages in R/Bioconductor, etc. 
• Proficiency in programming with R or Python 
• Strong written and oral communication skills, ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.  

Preferred:   

• Working knowledge of plant genetics and experience with complex crop genomes. 
• Working knowledge of scripting languages such as Python, Unix Shell, etc. 
• Experience with reproducible data analysis platforms such as Nextflow and GitHub 
• Ability to demonstrate complex results both verbally and in writing 
• Excellent communication skills and ability to translate bioinformatics knowledge into biological insights. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT: 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environments for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff by promoting a culture that embraces inclusion, diversity, equity, and accountability. Diverse perspectives, talents, and identities are vital to accomplishing our mission and living our cire values. The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.    

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS: 

Willingness to work on flexible work schedules to accommodate timely completion of scientific experiments and other project needs.  

Please provide CV/Resume and list of professional references to be considered for the position.  

 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. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within the Texas A&M University System with over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension, and service. 

If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you.  When you choose to work for 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.  

We actively seek a diverse workforce that includes dedicated, experienced applicants, as well as a select group of enthusiastic interns and graduates to share in our vision and help us meet the challenges before us. In return, we offer competitive salaries, a comprehensive employee benefits program, a vibrant employee wellness program which fosters a worksite culture that promotes employees’ physical and mental health and well-being and supports employees in making healthy lifestyles choices, and many valuable employee services.  

For more information on Texas A&M AgriLife, please visit https://agrilife.tamu.edu