Post Doc Research Fellow Lab

Independently lead research projects focused on plant virus-insect vector interactions across molecular, organismal, and ecological scales.* Investigate molecular mechanisms governing pathogen acquisition, establishment, dissemination, and transmission by arthropod vectors, including interactions among vector proteins, plant pathogens, and host plants.* Conduct 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.·* Design and conduct insect acquisition and transmission experiments using plant pathogens and their arthropod vectors under controlled laboratory, growth-chamber, greenhouse, and field conditions.* Apply 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.* Contribute 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.* Conduct insect behavioral, developmental, survival, fitness, and transmission assays and integrate these measurements with molecular and pathogen-detection data.·* Participate 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.* Analyze experimental and high-dimensional biological data using appropriate statistical and bioinformatic approaches and maintain accurate and reproducible research records.* Develop experimental protocols, troubleshoot assays, interpret results, and identify new research directions arising from ongoing projects.* Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to research proposals, technical reports, conference presentations, and other scientific communications.* Present research findings at scientific meetings, seminars, stakeholder meetings, and other professional venues.* Coordinate 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.* Assist with maintenance of insect colonies, plant materials, pathogen cultures or isolates, and other biological resources necessary for the research program.* Mentor and provide technical guidance to graduate students, undergraduate students, research assistants, and visiting researchers.* Collaborate effectively with laboratory members and multidisciplinary collaborators in entomology, plant pathology, molecular biology, genomics, breeding, epidemiology, and related disciplines.* Ensure compliance with institutional requirements related to laboratory safety, greenhouse and field research, biological materials, biosafety, data management, and project reporting.* Will be responsible for driving an agency vehicle or rental vehicle to research sites and meetings/conferences.* Perform other research-related duties as assigned.* D. in Entomology, Plant Pathology, Plant Virology, Molecular Biology, Biology, Biotechnology, or a closely related discipline.* 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 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 and willingness to mentor junior researchers and contribute positively to laboratory operations.* Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to prioritize experiments, meet deadlines, and manage multiple research activities simultaneously.* Knowledge of arthropod vector-plant pathogen interactions and pathogen transmission biology.* Knowledge of thrips biology and thrips-transmitted viruses, particularly tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) or related orthotospoviruses.* Knowledge of aphid biology and aphid-transmitted plant pathogens.* Knowledge of molecular determinants of insect vector competence.* Knowledge of plant virus biology, infectious clones, viral genetics, virus-host interactions, or plant antiviral responses.* Skill in bioinformatic analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, or other high-dimensional datasets.* Skill in molecular diagnostic assay development, validation, and optimization.* Knowledge of tomato, pepper, or other solanaceous crop systems, including host resistance or plant genetics.* Ability to design and conduct greenhouse and field experiments involving insect vectors and plant pathogens.The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of twelve universities, eight state agencies, a comprehensive health science center, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS.The A&M System is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each employee.