What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Research Scientist position at Texas A&M AgriLife?
Job Title
Assistant Research Scientist
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Amarillo
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Amarillo, 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
As the nation’s largest 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.
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Position Information
This position provides leadership to the modeling and analysis of historical data on groundwater extraction and agricultural irrigation in the northern Texas High Plains.
Responsibilities:
- Under the supervision of the Professor and Center Director (Texas A&M AgriLife Research – Amarillo), the Senior Research Engineer (Texas A&M AgriLife Research – Amarillo), Agricultural Engineer (USDA-Agricultural Research Service – Bushland), and Assistant Professor of Agricultural Statistics (West Texas A&M University), develop and publish a map of “Q-Stable” for the counties ofthe North Plains Groundwater Conservation District in the Texas Panhandle.
- Keep detailed records of data, metadata, and data-derived products used to estimate and document agricultural water use and groundwater extraction across the region.
- Consult closely with the project team to confirm assumptions, identify and use appropriate data sources, and examine scientific rationale and conclusions. Drive motor vehicles to/from the AmarilloCenter, Bushland, the James Bush Farm, and District headquarters in Dumas, TX, for those consultations.
- Lead the preparation, submittal, and reviewer responses/revisions of one or more manuscripts to a peer-reviewed journal documenting the workflow for estimating annual irrigation withdrawals fromthe Ogallala Aquifer in the project domain.
- Initiate and coordinate project-team meetings, both in person and via Microsoft Teams or other videoconferencing application.
- Use computers and technical equipment to perform data analysis, statistical analysis, and technical evaluation of water-use data and projections; summarize results to include in scientific andclientele-oriented publications.
- Prepare and write proposals to funding agencies; maintain scientific records related to research projects.
- Use presentation graphics and multimedia to develop presentations and documents in support of faculty supervisors.
- Write research reports and make oral presentations to the Ogallala Aquifer Project (OAP) administration and research team.
- Serve on appropriate standing or ad hoc committees of Texas A&M AgriLife Research-Amarillo, as assigned.
- Perform other, related duties as assigned.
Supervision
The incumbent will report directly to the Professor and Center Director (Amarillo, TX), who will be responsible for overall strategic guidance, project scheduling, and performance review. Technical supervision on evapotranspiration modeling and crop water demand will be provided by the Senior Research Engineer (AgriLife) and the Agricultural Engineer (USDA-ARS). Technical supervision on data analysis, statistics, and database management will be provided by the Assistant Professor of Agricultural Statistics (WTAMU).
Required Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, or related discipline, with emphasis on ground or surface water hydrology, the hydrologic cycle, and crop-soil-water dynamics.
- Some progressively responsible experience in agricultural, life-sciences, or environmental engineering research, including project oversight, laboratory operations, personnel supervision, and peer-reviewed publication of research findings.
- Demonstrated ability and inclination to pursue expertise in novel research domains related to the candidate’s core discipline.
- Working familiarity with geographical information systems (GIS) and other geospatial programming and database environments.
- Working understanding of principles of crop evapotranspiration, soil physics, and ground water hydrology.
- Experimental design, execution, oversight, data management, and logistics.
- Scholarly writing and oral presentation skills.
- Superior capabilities in the effective use of modern computer software.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships.
- Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
Preferred Qualifications
- Five years of professional experience in agricultural or biological research, including demonstrated experience with agronomy, irrigation, groundwater hydrology, and/or related disciplines.
What You Need to Know
Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.
Applicant Instructions: The successful candidate must answer all questions and attach a CV/resume with a list of 3 references.
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 insurancewith 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
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.