The Penzes lab at the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to join our research team in the field of structural virology and virus discovery at either a master’s or PhD level. Our research focuses on the characterization and discovery of viruses infecting invertebrates of agricultural or health importance. The lab has expertise in molecular and structural virology, which offers an opportunity to train in cryo-EM.

The position will focus on the discovery and characterization of novel viruses from insect hosts, their structural and molecular analyses, and understanding their diversity and evolution in agricultural and vector insects.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Virology, Entomology, or a related field

- Experience with basic molecular biology methods (e.g. PCR, cloning, gel electrophoresis)

- Familiarity with Linux command line for bioinformatics analyses

- Strong background in biochemistry

- Strong work ethics and a willingness to learn

- Ability to work independently as well as part of a collaborative research team

- Strong written and oral communication skills in English

Familiarity with deep sequencing methods, structural biology concepts, and with virology is preferred but not required.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter describing your interest in the position and how you think you would fit in the team, a CV and transcript