Assistant Professor - Forestry

About the role

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is seeking an outstanding, innovative, and dynamic individual to fill a 12‑month, non‑tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Forest Ecology and Modeling Research. This 100 % research appointment will be administratively based at the Blackland Research and Extension Center in Temple, Texas, with academic affiliation in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, and collaborative ties to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally recognized, externally funded research program that is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and self‑sustaining. The program should address critical challenges related to the sustainability, health, productivity, and marketability of forested landscapes in Texas and beyond. The position offers opportunities to work closely with faculty and researchers across the Texas A&M University System, including AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension, and the Texas A&M Forest Service.

Forests in Texas cover approximately 35 % of the state’s land area (about 60 million acres), with nearly 48 million acres of non‑commercial forests in central and west Texas. Most of these forests (≈ 93 %) are privately owned. The role will focus on advancing scientific understanding of these forest systems to guide sound management decisions that enhance forest health, promote sustainable stewardship, and conserve vital soil, water, and wildlife resources.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a nationally recognized, externally funded, and self‑sustaining research program focused on the sustainability, health, productivity, and marketability of forested landscapes.
• Conduct research addressing critical forest resource issues, including:
  • Forest ecosystem health and sustainability
  • Forest management systems to produce forage for domestic livestock and wildlife
  • Innovative strategies to protect forested landscapes from invasive species, wildfire, pests, extreme weather events, and other destructive agents
  • Watershed management and water quality in forested areas
  • Forest management for recreational purposes
  • Utilization of non‑traditional forest products
• Design each research initiative to assess its impact on environmental sustainability, including atmospheric emissions and soil health metrics.
• Leverage and contribute to data, models, and algorithms sourced from government, academic, and industry partners; collaborate with other Blackland/Grassland research teams and their national and international networks.
• Develop and improve simulation models, secure extramural funding, train graduate students, and actively disseminate findings.
• Publish research results in peer‑reviewed journals and technical reports; share models and tools with relevant stakeholders, land managers, and the broader scientific community.
• Engage with forest industry professionals, community service providers, and entrepreneurs; participate in outreach activities to ensure research relevance and applicability.
• Collaborate with the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Forestry Association, county Extension agents, statewide faculty, and other forestry professionals to support applied research and outreach that addresses regional needs.
• Contribute to programming efforts that yield tangible, measurable impacts on the economic and ecological viability of forested landscapes across the region.
• Direct the work of support staff, technical personnel, and graduate students assigned to the project.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in an area of forest science or a closely related field by the hire date (candidates with a degree in a closely aligned field must demonstrate a strong academic background or research program explicitly focused on forestry applications).
• Strong knowledge of forest ecology and related fields of study.
• Research experience in forest modeling, including expertise in biometrics and geospatial analysis.
• Evidence of, or the ability to produce, peer‑reviewed publications of original research.
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.
• Excellence in verbal and written communication.
• Team‑building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.
• Highly organized and professional demeanor.
• Ability to multi‑task and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Knowledge and understanding of the mission and role of the Land‑Grant University System.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior academic, post‑doctoral, or professional experience.
• Experience working with federal agencies or in other multi‑agency collaborative settings.
• Modest teaching experience that will enhance graduate student success.
• Modest outreach experience with stakeholder interaction.
• Grant writing experience and evidence of the ability to attract external funding.

Location and Facilities

This position will be affiliated with the Texas A&M University Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology and will contribute to departmental programs. The faculty member will be stationed at the Texas A&M AgriLife Blackland Research and Extension Center in Temple, working with other Blackland faculty and collaborating with USDA‑ARS scientists, USDA‑NRCS, and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board staff.

The Blackland Research Center and the collocated USDA‑ARS Grassland, Soil, and Water Research Laboratory have a long history of modeling crop and grazing land production and their effects on soil and water resources. The Blackland/Grassland team anticipates expanding the modeling program with a forest scientist who will lead simulation of forest systems production and environmental impacts from Texas, throughout the United States, and in tropical and arctic environments.

The candidate will seek cooperators across AgriLife units (especially the Texas A&M Forest Service), in College Station and across the State, as well as with Blackland collaborators nationally and internationally. Collaboration with industry and non‑governmental organizations is also encouraged.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long‑term disability coverage

Pay

Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.