Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M University; College Station, Northern (TX, KY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Vacation time

Job summary

Texas A&M AgriLife Research in College Station invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Horticultural Sciences. The role focuses on applying AI/ML to analyze large-scale biological, genomic, metabolomic, and phenotypic datasets to advance the breeding of climate-resilient, high-quality horticultural crops.

The successful candidate will lead lab activities, develop data-driven decision tools, conduct field trials across Texas, and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a related field.
• Experience with AI/ML in biological data.
• Experience with multi-omics data integration.
• Strong programming skills in Python and R.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate lab activities, including scheduling and safety.
• Conduct AI/ML research on large-scale biological datasets.
• Investigate factors affecting bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables.
• Develop AI-enabled decision tools for climate-resilient crops.
• Conduct field trials across Texas and collaborate with teams.
• Train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Participate in grant writing and publications.
• Support the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center directives.

Skills

AI/ML

Python

R

Bioinformatics

Genomic selection

Data analysis

Multi-omics

GWAS

Transcriptomics

Laboratory supervision

Education

Ph.D. in related field

Tools

Python

R

AI/ML frameworks

Bioinformatics pipelines

Genomics tools

Job description

## Postdoctoral Research AssociateApplylocations: College Station, TXtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: R-095416**Job Title**Postdoctoral Research Associate**Agency**Texas A&M Agrilife Research**Department**Horticultural Sciences**Proposed Minimum Salary**$4,166.67 monthly**Job Location**College Station, Texas**Job Type**Staff**Job Description****About Texas A&M AgriLife**Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:* Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service* Texas A&M AgriLife Research* College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University* Texas A&M Forest Service* Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic LaboratoryAs the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.Click here to learn more about how *you* can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!**Position Information****Responsibilities:**•Lead and coordinate lab activities, including scheduling, supply requisition, safety, and compliance (5%).•Conduct research on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to analyze large-scale biological, genomic, metabolomic, and phenotypic dataset (25%).•Investigate the genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors influencing bioactive compounds and volatiles in fruits and vegetables (5%).•Developing AI-enabled decision support tools for breeding climate-resilient, high-quality horticultural crops (5%)•Maintain laboratory certification through record-keeping and quality assurance and collaborate with research teams, industry partners, and other experts, including participation in the tomato integrated project. Conduct field trials and collect samples across Texas as needed (10%).•Work with transdisciplinary scientists and analyze large data set (10%)•Train and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, as well as visiting scientists (10%).•Participate in grant writing, manuscript preparation, and dissemination of research through peer-reviewed publications (5%).•Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of the Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center (25%).**Required Qualifications:**Ph.D. in related field.**Preferred Qualifications:**Experience in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and Genomic selection related to climate resilience and secondary metabolites of fruits and vegetables.**Preferred licenses or certifications:**Ability to obtain a valid US driver's license.**Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:**•Experience applying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to analyze large-scale biological, genomic, metabolomic, and phenotypic datasets.•Knowledge of genomic selection, genomic prediction, GWAS, quantitative genetics, and statistical learning for crop improvement.•Experience integrating multi-omics datasets (genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, phenomics, microbiome) for predictive modeling and biological interpretation.•Proficiency in Python, R, AI/ML frameworks, and bioinformatics pipelines for high-throughput data analysis and decision support in plant breeding.•Experience developing AI-enabled decision support tools for breeding climate-resilient, high-quality horticultural crops.•Familiarity with statistical modeling and computational approaches for bioactive compound analysis.•Next-generation sequencing, metagenomics, RNA-seq and transcriptomics analysis.•Multi-omics integration.•Bioinformatics and data analysis using R and Python.•AI/ML-assisted biological data analysis.•Ability to manage laboratory personnel, inventory, and research projects.•Strong background in preparing safety manuals, analytical methods, and standard operating procedures.•Experience in disseminating research findings through reports, presentations, and grant proposals.•Mentorship experience with students and lab members.**Machine or equipment used to perform the essential duties of this position:**computer 20 hours, telephone 5 hours, calculator 1 hour.**Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?**When you choose to *work* for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:* Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums* 12-15 days of annual paid holidays* Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month* Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas* Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife**Applicant Instructions**Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.**Required Documents**CV/ ResumeCover letterList of referencesCertifications/additional documentationAll 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/Veterans/Disability Employer.