Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct research in entomology, insect vector biology, plant virology, and vector–pathogen interactions under the supervision of Dr. Kiran Gadhave in the Gadhave Laboratory at Crop Stress Lab (Texas A&M AgriLife Research), Bushland, TX.

Responsibilities include independently leading research projects focused on plant virus–insect vector interactions across molecular, organismal, and ecological scales; investigating molecular mechanisms governing pathogen acquisition, establishment, dissemination, and transmission by arthropod vectors, including interactions among vector proteins, plant pathogens, and host plants; conducting functional studies of candidate vector and pathogen genes using approaches such as RNA interference, virus-induced gene silencing, transient expression, protein–protein interaction assays, and other molecular or functional genomic approaches; designing and conducting insect acquisition and transmission experiments using plant pathogens and their arthropod vectors under controlled laboratory, growth-chamber, greenhouse, and field conditions; applying molecular diagnostic approaches, including conventional PCR, RT-PCR, RT-qPCR/qPCR, and emerging nucleic-acid-based diagnostic platforms, to detect and quantify plant pathogens in insect vectors and host plants; contributing to genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, small-RNA, or other omics-based studies aimed at identifying molecular determinants of vector competence, pathogen transmission, and host–vector–pathogen interactions; conducting insect behavioral, developmental, survival, fitness, and transmission assays and integrating these measurements with molecular and pathogen-detection data; participating in research on agriculturally important vector–pathogen systems, including thrips-transmitted viruses, aphid-transmitted pathogens, mite-transmitted pathogens, and other emerging insect vector–plant pathogen systems; analyzing experimental and high-dimensional biological data using appropriate statistical and bioinformatic approaches and maintaining accurate and reproducible research records; developing experimental protocols, troubleshooting assays, interpreting results, and identifying new research directions arising from ongoing projects; preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and contributing to research proposals, technical reports, conference presentations, and other scientific communications; presenting research findings at scientific meetings, seminars, stakeholder meetings, and other professional venues; coordinating day-to-day management of assigned research projects, including experimental planning, maintenance of research organisms and biological materials, ordering supplies, managing inventories, and coordinating use and maintenance of laboratory equipment; assisting with maintenance of insect colonies, plant materials, pathogen cultures or isolates, and other biological resources necessary for the research program; mentoring and providing technical guidance to graduate students, undergraduate students, research assistants, and visiting researchers; collaborating effectively with laboratory members and multidisciplinary collaborators in entomology, plant pathology, molecular biology, genomics, breeding, epidemiology, and related disciplines; ensuring compliance with institutional requirements related to laboratory safety, greenhouse and field research, biological materials, biosafety, data management, and project reporting; driving an agency vehicle or rental vehicle to research sites and meetings/conferences; and performing other research-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications include a Ph.D. in Entomology, Plant Pathology, Plant Virology, Molecular Biology, Biology, Biotechnology, or a closely related discipline; a valid Texas driver's license or ability to obtain within 45 days of employment; demonstrated research experience in at least one area relevant to insect vector–plant pathogen interactions, plant virology, insect molecular biology, vector biology, or molecular plant pathology; experience designing and independently conducting laboratory experiments and analyzing biological data; demonstrated proficiency with molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, RT-qPCR/qPCR, cloning, sequence analysis, and related molecular assays; evidence of scientific productivity through peer-reviewed publications; strong hands-on expertise in molecular biology techniques, which may include nucleic acid extraction, cloning, PCR, RT-qPCR/qPCR, sequence analysis, Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration, library preparation, gene-expression analysis, and protein–protein interaction assays; ability to independently design, execute, troubleshoot, analyze, and interpret complex experiments; ability to design and conduct plant pathogen acquisition and transmission experiments involving arthropod vectors under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions; strong quantitative and analytical skills and familiarity with appropriate statistical analysis and scientific data visualization; ability to maintain detailed, accurate, and reproducible experimental records and organize multiple concurrent research activities; strong scientific writing skills and demonstrated ability to prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication; excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate research findings effectively to scientific and non-scientific audiences; ability to work independently while also contributing effectively to a collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment; ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others; ability and willingness to mentor junior researchers and contribute positively to laboratory operations; and strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to prioritize experiments, meet deadlines, and manage multiple research activities simultaneously.