Assistant Professor - Precision Ranching

Texas A&M University System • Sonora, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeks an innovative, collaborative, and highly motivated scientist to serve as an Assistant Professor in Precision Ranching. This is a 12-month, 100% research appointment administratively housed at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in San Angelo, Texas, with strong preference for the candidate to be based primarily at the Texas A&M AgriLife Sonora Experiment Station, where the proposed faculty member will engage closely with regional stakeholders to address their needs through research. The successful candidate will hold an affiliation with either the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management or the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University.

The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized, externally funded research program focused on advancing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of rangeland systems through the application of precision technologies, data-driven decision support tools, and integrated resource management strategies. The position will foster interdisciplinary collaborations across Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M University, industry partners, and other stakeholder groups.

Texas rangelands comprise approximately 60% of the state's land area and support livestock production, wildlife habitat, water resources, recreation, agritourism, and numerous ecosystem services. This position will address emerging challenges and opportunities through the application of smart sensing technologies, remote monitoring systems, automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to improve management decisions and resource stewardship across rangeland enterprises.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Rangeland Science, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, or a closely related discipline by the date of appointment.
• Expertise in rangeland production systems and management practices.
• Demonstrated experience with precision agriculture technologies, smart sensor systems, remote sensing, data analytics, automation, or related technologies.
• Record of publishing original research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience with range plant identification and field-based vegetation sampling.
• Prior academic, post-doctoral, or professional research experience.
• Demonstrated ability to secure competitive external funding.
• Experience working with federal agencies or in other multi-agency collaborative settings.
• Ability to build collaborative and multidisciplinary research programs.
• Ability to communicate and build relationships with regional stakeholders to identify needs to address through research.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain an externally funded, nationally recognized research program addressing critical challenges facing Texas rangeland and livestock industries.
• Conduct fundamental, applied, and translational research focused on precision ranching technologies and management systems.
• Advance innovative solutions related to: Rangeland restoration and management, Livestock production efficiency and resource optimization, Smart sensing, automation, and digital agriculture technologies, Wildfire mitigation and invasive species management, Watershed management and water quality protection, Integrated multi-enterprise ranching systems, including agritourism.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and other relevant outlets.
• Mentor graduate students and supervise research personnel.
• Secure competitive extramural funding from federal, state, industry, and private sources.
• Collaborate with AgriLife Research and Extension faculty, industry stakeholders, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
• Translate research outcomes into practical applications that support stakeholder adoption and economic impact.
• Contribute to intellectual property development, technology transfer, and stakeholder engagement activities.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree