The Texas A&M University System

Agency

Department

A full-time postdoctoral research associate position is available in Dr. Arash Kheirodin's laboratory in the Control Environment Entomology lab, with the Department of Entomology, located at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Dallas, Texas. Our lab carries out research in biological control, molecular ecology, IPM, and habitat management within controlled environments (i.e., indoor farming, greenhouse and high tunnel settings). Our goal is to find sustainable solutions to pest problems in controlled environments. The postdoctoral research associate (postdoc)will perform experiments under the supervision of Dr. Kheirodin, who has expertise in biological control, molecular ecology, IPM, and habitat management (landscape ecology).

The focus of this position is on determining the major natural enemies of green peach aphids and whiteflies on strawberry and tomato plants under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The postdoc will conduct the experiment in the state-of-the-art facility at the Dallas Center. The initial laboratory and greenhouse feeding trials will be conducted to determine the most effective natural enemies for further screenings. Using molecular ecology tools, the postdoc is further expected to conduct manipulative cage experiments and open experiments in the greenhouse and high tunnels to explore the compatibility of the effective natural enemies (i.e., exploring intraguild predation using PCR-based diagnostic tools) that will be released in the controlled environment. This project aims to find 1) compatible natural enemies that can suppress the green peach aphid and whitefly population on strawberry and tomato, respectively and 2) develop recommendations for regional growers and stakeholders. The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to build his/her independent research within the objective of this project (e.g., tracing multi-trophic interactions and habitat management using crop and flowering plant variety) and to collaborate with research and extension faculty members at the Dallas Center as well as TAMU Department of Entomology. The postdoc will supervise graduate students and attend conferences and extension events.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Entomology, Agroecology, Molecular Ecology or related field.

• Ability to communicate effectively.

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Substantial experience in biological control research (i.e., using natural enemies and entomopathogenic fungi), molecular ecology skills (i.e., primer design, DNA and RNA extractions, PCR-based trophic interaction diagnosis), IPM approach, and excellent data analysis skills (preferably in R). Experience with genomics and bioinformatics is a plus.

• Track record of publications and experience with academic writing, and good oral communication skills (i.e., presenting talks at conferences).

• Experience with genomics and bioinformatics is a plus.

• Experience with grant writing is a plus.

Salary will be commensurate with experience, and the selected candidate will be eligible for fringe benefits, including health insurance and a retirement plan. The expected start date is June 2024.

To be considered for this position, please include a letter outlining your interest and how your background fits the advertised position, your CV, and the contact information of three references with you application. For more information, please contact Dr. Arash Kheirodin (arash.kheirodin@ag.tamu.edu).

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.