Research Assistant

Job Title
Research Assistant

Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department
Overton

Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate

Job Location
Overton, Texas

Job Type
Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M Forest Service
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation's largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences 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, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

We are seeking a Research Assistant to support soil science and soil microbiology research activities requiring an advanced level of knowledge and laboratory experience in soil science and soil microbiology. Learning requirements are predominantly intellectual and varied in character and require consistent use of discretion and judgment.

Responsibilities:

• Performs a variety of research activities which include fieldwork, greenhouse experiments, laboratory analysis, and data analysis using statistical reference. Learning requirements are predominantly intellectual and varied in character and require consistent use of discretion and judgment.
  
• Conducts soil analysis for microbiome, DNA extraction, designs and runs qPCR assays and bioinformatic skills to analyze microbiome sequence data.
  
• Assists with supervision of graduate students and other lab/field personnel in research.
  
• Installs, operates and/or repairs research equipment.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Soil Science or relevant field.
• Familiarity with appropriate laboratory and/or technical equipment.
• Ability to effectively utilize a computer and applicable software to create databases, perform statistical analyses, present data and perform other computer related tasks.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Soil Science or relevant field.
  
• Skills in soil analysis for microbiome, DNA extraction, designing and running qPCR assays, and bioinformatic skills.
  

Other Requirements:

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

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate's qualifications.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

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.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• 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

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

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.