Agency: Texas A&M University AgriLife Research

Department:  Wildlife, and Fisheries Management and Animal Science

Proposed salary: $55,000-60,000

Job location: College Station, TX

Job type: Staff

 

Position Information: Develop and validate eDNA assays to detect bat species occurrence from environmental samples such as water, soil, and air filters, taking each assay from design through validation and into the laboratory's three tier detection workflow of qPCR, digital PCR, and nanopore sequencing. Though the primary job location is in College Station, the successful candidate will travel to field sites in south Texas to collect samples and assist with acoustic monitor deployment and maintenance. The position offers the opportunity to collaborate across two departments, Animal Science and Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, bridging molecular detection and wildlife ecology.

 

Responsibilities:

• Design and validate molecular assays, including evaluating performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, and reliability.

• Perform nucleic acid extraction and quality control on environmental samples, incorporating appropriate controls to manage inhibition and contamination.

• Apply and optimize molecular detection methods (e.g., qPCR, digital PCR, sequencing) and interpret the results with strong analytical rigor.

• Coordinate with field teams to plan and execute sampling efforts, ensuring adherence to study design, sample integrity, and proper documentation.

• Analyze complex datasets and communicate findings through peer-reviewed publications, reports, and presentations to scientific and stakeholder audiences.

• Maintain high standards of data management, reproducibility, and record keeping in accordance with responsible conduct of research.

• Mentor students and junior personnel and support the advancement of the broader research program.

 

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in molecular biology, wildlife ecology, or a related field.

• Hands-on experience with nucleic acid extraction from environmental or other complex samples.

• Working knowledge of PCR and primer or probe design.

• Understanding of how to optimize an assay for sensitivity and specificity, including controls for inhibition and contamination.

• Careful documentation and a methodical approach to validation.

• Ability to communicate effectively.

• Ability to work early mornings and walk/hike for extended periods while carrying a field pack; positive attitude in adverse environmental conditions such as fire ants, chiggers, rattlesnakes, feral pigs, normal daily temperatures of over 90°F, intense sun, thick and thorny brush, and steep and rocky terrain.

• Valid driver’s license.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with eDNA or environmental metabarcoding, digital PCR, multiplex assay design, or long read  based sequencing detection.

• Field sampling and chain of custody handling for environmental samples.

• Validation of assays against field data

• Curation of reference panels or sequence databases.

• Experience working alongside bioinformatics and field teams to interpret results.

• A record of peer reviewed publications.

• Experience deploying autonomous recording units (e.g., acoustic monitors) for wildlife research.

• Experience with capture/handling wildlife, especially bats.

• Experience driving 4WD vehicles.

• Experience in field navigation and spatial data collection using GPS.

 

Position Funding: This temporary position has an end date of August 31, 2027. Extension is contingent upon continued funding and project needs.

 

Supervision: This position will be co-supervised by Dr. Ashley M. Long and Dr. Sapna Dass, who will provide mentorship in research design, laboratory methods, field coordination, and professional development.

 

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/Resume

• Cover letter

• List of references

• Certifications/additional documentation

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Contact and how to apply:
Applicants should direct questions about the position to Dr. Ashley M. Long. To apply, please email the following materials to ashley.long@ag.tamu.edu with the subject line: “Bat eDNA Postdoc Position – LASTNAME”:

• CV/Resume

• Cover letter

• List of references

• Certifications/additional documentation