Research Specialist I

Texas A&M AgriLife is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive agriculture program, bringing 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 Texas county, AgriLife improves lives, environments, and the economy through education, research, extension, and service.

About the role

We are seeking a Research Specialist I to support agricultural policy research involving AFPC’s network of representative farms and the AFPC farm-level simulation model. Under general supervision, this role collects data from primary and secondary sources, performs data manipulation and analysis using modeling tools, and communicates results through publications, presentations, and briefings.

Responsibilities

• Attend in-person agricultural focus group meetings to collect primary data for developing and maintaining AFPC representative crop, livestock, and specialty crop farms.
• Process farm-level data and conduct whole-farm simulation model analyses for AFPC clientele, including House and Senate Agriculture Committee staff and other stakeholders.
• Perform and review simulation modeling using FarmESP, AFPC’s Python-based farm-level simulation model.
• Assist AFPC faculty and research staff in developing scientific publications and presentations to communicate study results.
• Conduct decision aid analyses for a nationwide network of existing and future clients/users.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Four years of related experience.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to attend in-person meetings across major U.S. agricultural production regions as needed.
• Willingness to work beyond normal business hours or on weekends when project timelines require it.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Agricultural Economics.
• Experience collecting primary data from agricultural producers using a modified Delphi approach.
• Experience entering data in a farm visit editor for the FarmESP farm-level simulation model.
• Data entry and analysis experience involving row crop, cow-calf, dairy, and/or cattle feeding operations.
• Working knowledge of commercial agricultural operations.
• Professional writing experience with an emphasis in livestock and agricultural policy.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build rapport with diverse clientele.

Pay

$4,168.76 monthly (75% effort).

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance (employer contributes to 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.