Experience Inc. Jobs

Job Title

Assistant Research Scientist

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Oceanography

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values (https://www.tamu.edu/about/coreValues.html) which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

Who We Are

The Department of Oceanography in the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M University (TAMU) is part of an alliance of Ocean Sciences at Texas A&M that spans the Marine Biology and Marine Sciences Departments at TAMU Galveston, Geochemical and Environmental Research Group. This alliance of Ocean Sciences represents a truly unique concentration of educational and research resources. Our educational and research capacity is greatly enhanced by close ties to the College Departments of Atmospheric Sciences, Geography, and Geology & Geophysics, as well as the Berg Hughes Center, and Texas Center for Climate Studies.

What We Want

The Assistant Research Scientist will be responsible for developing species specific primers for identification of Dinophysis species. The selected candidate will perform differential gene expression analysis and conduct comparison of gene expression with culture condition parameters. Additionally, the Assistant Research Scientist will supervise students and technicians for collecting and processing DNA/RNA extraction and data analysis while leading preparation of manuscripts based on results obtained from research projects.

What You Need to Know

• Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected hire’s education and experience

• Schedule: This position will require occasional travel to conduct field work

• Special Note: This position is funded from grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, this position is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance.

Required Education and Experience:

• PhD in relevant biological science

• Relevant professional experience in phytoplankton ecology and bioinformatics; statistical software packages for barcoding and transcriptome analysis workflows, including differential gene expression analysis and annotation of metabolic pathways

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficiency working in a Linux/UNIX environment and with Python and R

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 years postdoctoral experience

• 3 years relevant professional experience in phytoplankton ecology utilizing molecular techniques: RNA/DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction [PCR]), bioinformatics

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

• Strong track record of peer-reviewed publications

• Time series and multivariate statistical analysis

Responsibilities:

• Identify drivers of harmful algal blooms (HABs): Leads project to characterize the dynamics of the harmful algal bloom (HAB) species Dinophysis ovum along the Texas coast as part of a national program to identify drivers of blooms of this HAB species. Develops PCR assays, application of these new methods to address research objectives.

• Characterize dynamics of HABs: Conducts laboratory-based experiments, to identify changes in gene expression of HAB species due to variations in environmental conditions. Performs cleaning, assembling, and mapping of reads. Performs taxonomic and functional annotation of reads/transcripts.

• Field work: Texas Observatory for Algal Succession Time Series (TOAST). Conducts field sampling during harmful algal bloom events in the Gulf of Mexico in conjunction with TOAST program supported by GCOOS.

• Manuscript and grant proposal preparation: Contributes to collaborative manuscripts. Submits research proposals as the lead PI for continued support.

  Why Texas A&M University?

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

• Medical, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/medical/) prescription drug, dental, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/dental/) vision, life and AD&D, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/life-add/) flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/long-term-disability/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html) and at least eight hours of paid vacation (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html) each month

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (https://www.trs.texas.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx)

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/) training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more

• Educational release time and tuition assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance) for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

• Living Well, (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/) a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees

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.