What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Scientist position at Texas A&M AgriLife Research?
Job Title
Research Scientist
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Texas Water Resource Institute
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
College Station, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
About Texas A&M AgriLife
Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:
Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!
Position Information
Job Description
Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) is seeking applications for a Research Scientist to serve as a Product Positioning/Competitive Intelligence Manager position with a strong focus on water treatment technologies and plant physiology, emphasizing M3T water systems and sustainable water reuse.
We’re seeking a strategic and analytical professional to define how M3T products stand out in a competitive marketplace. The Product Positioning & Competitive Intelligence Manager will be responsible for developing compelling product positioning, analyzing competitive dynamics, and delivering actionable insights that inform go-to-market strategy, sales enablement, and product development.
The successful candidate will develop and lead a research and educational program that addresses critical regional and global challenges related to agricultural water scarcity, quality, and reuse through the application of advanced biological and engineered water technologies. Core research areas will include the development, optimization, and agricultural application of M3T treatment technologies and soil-water-plant interactions under traditional and alternative water sources for resilient crop production.
The incumbent is expected to develop a nationally recognized, technology-driven research and extension program focused on the design, evaluation, and implementation of M3T and other water treatment systems for agricultural, industrial, and environmental applications.
Responsibilities:
The position is supervised by the Director of the Texas Water Resources Institute. Programmatic reporting and alignment with statewide and national water technology initiatives will be coordinated by the Director’s office.
Required Qualifications:
Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?
When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.
In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:
Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.
Required Documents
CV/ Resume
Cover letter
List of references
Certifications/ additional documentation
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/Veterans/Disability Employer.
Research Scientist
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Texas Water Resource Institute
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
College Station, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
About Texas A&M AgriLife
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
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!
Position Information
Job Description
Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) is seeking applications for a Research Scientist to serve as a Product Positioning/Competitive Intelligence Manager position with a strong focus on water treatment technologies and plant physiology, emphasizing M3T water systems and sustainable water reuse.
We’re seeking a strategic and analytical professional to define how M3T products stand out in a competitive marketplace. The Product Positioning & Competitive Intelligence Manager will be responsible for developing compelling product positioning, analyzing competitive dynamics, and delivering actionable insights that inform go-to-market strategy, sales enablement, and product development.
The successful candidate will develop and lead a research and educational program that addresses critical regional and global challenges related to agricultural water scarcity, quality, and reuse through the application of advanced biological and engineered water technologies. Core research areas will include the development, optimization, and agricultural application of M3T treatment technologies and soil-water-plant interactions under traditional and alternative water sources for resilient crop production.
The incumbent is expected to develop a nationally recognized, technology-driven research and extension program focused on the design, evaluation, and implementation of M3T and other water treatment systems for agricultural, industrial, and environmental applications.
Responsibilities:
- Lead research on M3T and other biological or hybrid water treatment technologies, emphasizing their performance, optimization, and integration into agricultural and environmental systems.
- Develop, evaluate and validate cropping systems and irrigation strategies that utilize M3T-treated, reclaimed, or non-traditional water sources, focusing on water quality impacts, soil health, and plant response.
- Advance understanding of microbial processes, nutrient dynamics, and contaminant removal mechanisms in M3T and related systems.
- Design laboratory, greenhouse, and field-scale experiments evaluating the efficacy, scalability, and sustainability of M3T technology.
- Utilize the latest high throughput plant phenotyping technologies and GIS systems to quantify and characterize the effects of M3T technology on soil-water-plant interactions. Explore the physiological changes induced by the application of M3T to determine the effectiveness of the new technology on plant emergence, vigor, health, and yield.
- Collaborate with engineers, soil and plant scientists, microbiologists, and environmental scientists across AgriLife Research Centers, Texas A&M campuses, and federal agencies (e.g., USDA-ARS, EPA) to develop interdisciplinary research and technology-transfer programs.
- Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, technical reports, and stakeholder workshops.
- Support Extension and outreach programs that communicate the benefits and management considerations of M3T water use for irrigation and environmental sustainability.
- Engage with water utilities, agricultural producers, and technology developers with research-based recommendations on product use and rate to facilitate the adoption of treatment technologies in practical settings.
- Participate actively in professional organizations.
The position is supervised by the Director of the Texas Water Resources Institute. Programmatic reporting and alignment with statewide and national water technology initiatives will be coordinated by the Director’s office.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Agronomy, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Soil and Crop Sciences, Microbial Ecology, or a closely related discipline.
- Six years of related experience
- Demonstrated experience in technology development, applied research, product development or water systems.
- Strong experience coordinating, developing, and executing field-based research experiments at multiple locations simultaneously.
- Proven ability to publish in high-impact journals.
- Strong record of interdisciplinary research and collaboration across environmental, engineering, and agricultural domains.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effective engagement with academic, industry, and government partners.
Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?
When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.
In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:
- 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
Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.
Required Documents
CV/ Resume
Cover letter
List of references
Certifications/ additional documentation
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/Veterans/Disability Employer.