Closing Date: 11/30/2024

Job Address:

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Summary of Duties: 

The Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University invites applications for a funded Ph.D. position in the exciting field of secondary metabolism in horticultural crops and wine products in the Darwish and Botezatu programs. This project, supported for three years, offers a unique opportunity to delve into cutting-edge research at the intersection of horticulture, chemistry, and enology.

Position Overview:
The successful applicant will work on a comprehensive study of secondary metabolism in horticultural crops and wine products. The project will explore the chemical composition and metabolic processes influencing the quality of horticultural crops and wine. The candidate will be jointly advised by Dr. Ahmed Darwish and Dr. Andreea Botezatu as a part of a collaborative project.
Qualifications:
• Master’s degree (or relevant experience) in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Horticulture, Enology, Wine Science, Food Science, or a related discipline.
• Applicants with expertise in Analytical Chemistry (including techniques such as LC- MS or GC-MS) will be strongly preferred.
• A passion for scientific research in wine and secondary metabolomics and a drive to advance knowledge in the field.
• Experience in evaluating different biological activities such as antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial activities of different secondary metabolites.

Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct cutting-edge research on the metabolomics and secondary metabolism of wine and other horticulture production.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques to study wine grape composition and transformations during winemaking.
• Collaborate with experts in enology, chemistry, and horticulture to contribute to impactful research that can shape the future of the wine industry.
• Publish in top-tier scientific peer-reviewed journals in the field
• Communicate results at conferences, workshops, online seminars, etc.
Funding: This PhD position is fully funded for three years, covering tuition and a competitive stipend.
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas – a leading research institution known for its vibrant academic community and world-class facilities in agricultural and food sciences.

How to Apply: Interested candidates are invited to submit:
• A cover letter outlining relevant experience and research interests.
• CV/Resume.
• Contact information for three professional references.

Dr. Ahmed Darwish, Assistant Professor of Secondary Metabolism in Horticultural Crops, and Dr. Andreea Botezatu, Associate Professor and Enology Extension Specialist, will co-advise the selected student. Please submit your application for screening and consideration to these emails:
Ahmed.darwish@ag.tamu.edu
Andreea.Botezatu@ag.tamu.edu