Research Professional - Fort Valley, United States - Fort Valley State University

Description

Job Description

Job Summary:

The Research Professional will collaboratively work with the Principal Investigator on projects related to integrated production systems, stress, and muscle biology in goats, with particular emphasis on multi-omics approach. The incumbent will assist in the training and supervision of graduate and undergraduate students in live animal experiments and daily lab activities, conduct independent experiments, collect, and analyze data, and write reports and manuscripts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaboratively plan and execute experiments in a timely manner
• Assist the Principal Investigator in training and supervising graduate students
• Analyze data, present results in professional conferences, and collaboratively publish articles in peer-reviewed journals
• Participate in university- and college-sponsored activities
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications:

Minimum:

• Ph.D. in Animal Science or closely related field
• Expertise in lab techniques related to assessment of animal stress and meat quality, including DNA, RNA, protein isolations, PCR and qPCR, library construction for RNA-sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis
• Strong programming skills in languages such as R and ability to use bioinformatics programs
• Experience in integration of multi-omics (transcriptomics, metabolomics, etc.) data related to diet, physiology, and meat quality characteristics.
• Ability to accurately select and perform statistical tests for genomic data and to properly interpret their results
• Ability to work as a team member

Preferred:

• Knowledge of animal handling practices, integrated animal production systems, behavioral and physiological stress responses
• Experience working with small ruminants

Working conditions:

• Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm
• Occasional evening/weekend work required according to the needs of the project and department
• Occasional travel required for research activities and for presenting research papers in professional meetings
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 lbs.

Physical requirements:

• Working outdoors in animal pens, pastures, and paddocks required according to the needs of the project
• Sitting for extended periods of time, occasional standing, lifting moderately heavy objects, performing repetitive tasks required

Direct reports:

• Graduate Research Assistants, Research Assistants, undergraduate students

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the incumbent will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the position.