Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Forest Service, and Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. As the nation’s largest and most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences 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, environments, and the Texas economy through education, research, extension, and service.

Responsibilities

• Perform literature reviews regarding watershed and water quality interactions relative to watershed management, land use and land cover, plus appropriate research methods and evaluation approaches for addressing water quality concerns.
• Conduct data analysis to understand cumulative impacts of watershed-based plan development and implementation on water quality and quantity.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and lessons learned in watershed-based plan development and implementation to inform program efficiencies for future planning efforts.
• Research, write, and publish peer-reviewed manuscripts to convey findings to the agency and scientific community.
• Develop grant proposals to pursue and support additional water quality and quantity research initiatives in consultation with Principal Investigators.
• Perform project management duties such as ensuring on-time deliverables and project reporting.
• Present research findings at academic conferences and workshops as appropriate.
• Support other related water management programs underway or under development at TWRI (occasional duty).

Requirements

• Ph.D. degree in agricultural science, engineering, environmental science, hydrology, water management, or a closely related field.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite; excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in GIS mapping and assessment; statistical assessment of environmental data.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to obtain a Texas Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Past experience in data assessment and evaluation of natural resource planning and management processes.
• Ability to select and conduct statistical analysis to describe spatial and temporal trends in water quality as a result of landscape-scale management.
• Experience using geographic information systems.
• Excellent written and oral information delivery skills.
• Prior knowledge or experience of TMDLs (Total Maximum Daily Loads) and WPPs (Watershed Protection Plans) or other relevant planning approaches.
• Experience in stakeholder facilitation and effective grant writing.
• Ability to interact effectively with various groups including the public, agricultural interests, city and county officials, non-profit and environmental advocacy organizations, river authorities, and water resource personnel from Land Grant Universities and state and federal agencies.
• Ability to travel statewide as necessary to coordinate program efforts.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums.
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays.
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife.

Pay

$5,000.00 monthly (proposed minimum salary).