Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Overton

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Overton, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

This Postdoctoral Research Associate position in Agroecosystems Modeling is available at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Overton, Texas. The Overton Center seeks outstanding applicants for a postdoctoral research associate position in agroecosystems modeling to develop and apply novel methods and metrics that could assess the performance of the various prevalent cropping systems in Texas and reveal prescribed strategies for stakeholders in specific vegetational regions. This full-time appointment will be based in Overton, TX which lies in the northeast region of Texas, approximately 160 miles from College Station, the headquarters of Texas A&M University.This position is funded via the Scholars Program RFP; future employment is contingent upon future funding.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create comparative crop data for multiple crops, multiple years, and multiple locations in Texas by collecting them from various research locations through collaborative efforts. Also create databases on soil and long-term weather for multiple locations in Texas;

• Analyze various cropping systems, including cover crops, with regard to productivity and environmental sustainability using process-based agroecosystems/crop models;

• Assess climate change/variability effects on crop production through the exploration of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impacts and the use of drought indices;

• Explore sustainable strategies and options for legume-based double-cropping or cover-cropping systems through modeling, artificial intelligence, or other exploratory techniques using the climate-smart approach;

• Model parametrization, calibration, and evaluation based on extensive experimental data;

• Prepare and publish articles in national/international peer-reviewed scientific journals that highlight findings from the research projects;

• Present research findings at national/international events and conferences;

• Collaborate with various, relevant faculty at the Overton Center in developing grant proposals for increased future funding, preparing peer-review journal articles, and supervising graduate students, if any.

• Cooperate with relevant Agricultural Economists in Texas to document economic and biological risks of various cropping systems.

• Travel to participate in meetings, workshops and training activities.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• A PhD degree in a field related to the tasks above within the broader theme of agricultural science or engineering with a quantitative, empirical orientation, and fundamental parts of agriculture.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in process-based agroecosystem/crop modeling, preferably DSSAT;

• Expertise in statistical data analysis, with profound experience in Excel and programing skills in R or Python;

• Experience with GIS and/or remote sensing is valuable;

• Knowledge and work experience in cropping systems, sustainable agriculture, and climate change/variability impact is valuable;

• Knowledge and/or interest in carbon footprint analysis using life cycle analysis;

• Experience in the development of research proposals and grant writing, an essential part of the job;

• Experience in preparing publications in peer-reviewed journals and presenting the project results at national and international conferences;

Required knowledge, skills and abilities

• Strong analytical and scientific writing skills, excellent communication skills, and fluency in both spoken and written English;

• The ability to work independently, goal-oriented and on your own initiative using a methodical, systematic approach.

• Endurance and contribution to scientific work in a team on collaborative research.

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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within the Texas A&M University System With over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service.If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you.

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/extension-home/)

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/college-home/)

• Texas A&M Forest Service

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/tvmdl-home/)

  Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners.

• Prospective employee benefits

• Retirement programs

• Commitment to inclusive excellence (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/)

• Strategic plan