Job Title Postdoctoral Research Associate Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Entomology Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location College Station, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Job Responsibilities: - Primary focus will be on arthropod physiology, toxicology, and molecular biology with emphasis on G-protein coupled receptor functional characterization. -Discovering ligands of GPCRs and testing them in tissues and whole animals for bioactivity. -Endocrinological studies are performed with mosquitoes and tick tissues in vitro and in vivo. -Lead a project that characterizes the activity of small molecules on arthropod neuropeptide receptors. They will develop and execute research to determine the efficacy, inhibitory or agonistic activity of these molecules. -Undertake chemical library screens on recombinant arthropod receptors expressed in cell lines, RNAi studies to knockdown peptides and receptors to determine their physiological role and quantifying silencing by qRT-PCR, immunolocalization of labeling analyses with tissues. -Record and analyze data/results; report research through regular oral presentations and reports and publish in a timely manner in refereed journals; assist with research grant project reports; and keep abreast of all current literature on subject matter, etc. -Contribute to the success and renewal of federally funded projects. -Cloning and functional expression analysis of tick and fire ant G-protein coupled receptors in mammalian cells; calcium fluorescence and bioluminescence assays, histochemistry, quantitative (Real-time PCR), etc.; and supervision of technical staff, graduate and undergraduate students. -Conduct research with mosquitoes of public health importance. -Conduct research with ticks of medical and/or agricultural importance. -Feed and pesticide mosquito bioassays in the laboratory. -Other duties as required. -Excellent oral and writing communication skills in English are a must for this position. -Organizational skills, must maintain updated research books, write reports and prepare PowerPoints presentations timely, aid in the writing of grants and aid student workers in the laboratory. Required Education: - Ph.D. in Entomology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biology, Animal Physiology, or other closely related field. Preferred Experience: - Demonstrated research experience/background in bioassays, molecular biology techniques (including qRT-PCR, cloning, basic microbiology, and western blot), experimental design and basic statistical analysis. -Experience with histochemistry and/or cellular techniques (tissue culture); manuscript writing experience; and have a peer-reviewed publication record. -An interest in arthropod neurobiology and physiology, and experience with mosquitoes and/or other blood-feeding vectors highly desirable. -Knowledge of biochemical calculations to prepare buffers, media, solutions, and correct dilutions of small molecules and peptides. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: -Excellent oral and writing communication skills -Organizational skills. -Ability to maintain updated research books, write reports and prepare PowerPoint presentations timely -Ability to aid in the writing of grants and aid student workers in the laboratory. - Ability to travel to South Texas and Harris County. -Ability to work in a biosafety level 2 laboratory which requires certification for this level at TAMU. Please attach to your complete application: -Vita -Transcripts -Names and emails of 3 people that could be contacted as references -Indication of when you could start 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. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.