Job Title Research Assistant Agency Texas A&M University - Kingsville Department Department Of Biological & Health Sciences Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Kingsville, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Job Summary Performs skilled logistical, administrative, and managerial support in research on the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster. Predominantly, the work entails making the food to maintain stocks and keeping the food clean and free from contaminants, mold and infective agents but will perform certain genetic crosses in a research project. Essential Duties and Responsibilities + Making fruitfly food and disposing of waste. Assists in coordinating the use of food for experiments in support of various research projects. + Applies standard techniques for making flyfood and perform routine genetic crosses to generate new lines and keep records of new lines. + Uses computers and laboratory equipment to maintain new stocks, and keep flies fed and well maintained but also generate and test new lines. + Evaluates and summarizes results. + Assists undergraduate in technical skills involved in research. + Operate, maintains, and repair flyfood equipment, autoclaves and genetic stations for fruitfly. + Assists with cataloging new fly stocks. + Performs other related duties as assigned. This above represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Other duties may be assigned. Additional Responsibilities Maintaining a mite free environment if an infection occurs. Keeping food for long term storage if there is a major change in plan.v Minimum Requirements Education – Bachelor’s degree in relevant field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities–Knowledge of laboratory maintenance and equipment. Knowledge of computers and computer software related to the position. Preferred Requirements Education – Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics or other related field. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities–Knowledge of flyfood maintenance and flypad stations and equipment. Knowledge of computers and excel for maintaining lists of flies as related to the position. Supervision Received/Given Works under general supervision and supervises others in food prep and disposal 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.