Agency

Department

General Responsibilities

• Prepares plant sample using digestion methods for mass spectrometry such as LC/MC, GC/MS, HPLC, ICP-MS. This includes homogenizing and weighing samples. The student has opportunities to learn basic analytical instrument usage including software and data interpretation.

• Prepares samples for DNA and RNA isolation for basic molecular biology including PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. The student has the opportunity to learn basic DNA sequence alignment software for data analysis.

• Participates in plant propagation, plant growth, maintaining plants, and measuring plant traits for downstream statistical analyses.

• Washes glassware and instruments, sterilizing glassware and other lab materials in autoclaves, maintaining lab supplies, prepare solutions and media.

Qualifications

• Life Science Major, Freshman or Sophomore preferred

• Completed freshman biology or chemistry

• Organized and efficient

• Willing to work up to 20 hours per week, 2-4 days per week including summer.

• Previous lab experience a plus but not required. 

• Understanding basic chemistry, sterile technique, and general genetics will be a useful in this position.

Position Information

• Students will be guided by senior researchers in the lab working group. The student worker will be invited to participate in weekly or biweekly lab meetings to gain exposure to scientific discussions, planning of research projects, and reporting laboratory result.

• Work and study space will be provided for the student in the new Borlaug building housing the Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture in the center of the Texas A&M campus.

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/Veterans/Disability Employer.