What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Research Associate position at Texas A&M AgriLife Research?
Job Title
Senior Research Associate
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Temple
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Temple, 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
The Senior Research Associate will lead the acquisition, processing, and analysis of high-resolution agricultural data using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced sensing technologies. This role supports ongoing cotton research in two key areas: (1) high-throughput phenotyping to improve varietal performance under heat and water stress, and (2) in-season crop monitoring to inform and optimize management decisions.
Responsibilities
Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s 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
Copy of degree or transcript showing degree conferred
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.
Senior Research Associate
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Temple
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Temple, 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
The Senior Research Associate will lead the acquisition, processing, and analysis of high-resolution agricultural data using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced sensing technologies. This role supports ongoing cotton research in two key areas: (1) high-throughput phenotyping to improve varietal performance under heat and water stress, and (2) in-season crop monitoring to inform and optimize management decisions.
Responsibilities
- Collect multispectral and hyperspectral imagery using UAV for vegetation indices (NDVI, NDRE, etc.), chlorophyll, canopy structure, soil variability, and water stress analysis.
- Process raw imagery using photogrammetry and GIS software to generate orthomosaics and vegetation maps.
- Manage geospatial data and integrate UAV and other sensor-derived datasets with ground-based observations and crop models.
- Work with crop modelers and data scientists to integrate UAV-based analytics into precision agriculture workflows.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, or related field. Four years of experience in agricultural remote sensing and UAV flight operations. Or, a master's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, or a related field. Two years of experience in agricultural remote sensing and UAV flight operations.
- Proficiency with photogrammetry and GIS software (e.g., Pix4D, Agisoft Metashape, ArcGIS, QGIS).
- Strong data analysis skills using Python, R, or similar analytical tools.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
- Experience with multispectral and thermal imagery applications in crop monitoring.
- Knowledge of agricultural management practices, crop phenology, and environmental monitoring.
- Fieldwork under varying weather conditions.
- Travel to research sites or grower fields.
- Manual handling of moderate-weight UAV equipment (up to ~25 lbs.).
Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s 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:
- 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
Copy of degree or transcript showing degree conferred
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.