Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M University System • Uvalde, TX

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Associate conducts research on monitoring and modeling evapotranspiration (ET) and irrigation management for field and high-value crops, including cotton, spinach, onions, and corn. The work is carried out in a team environment and uses ET and soil-moisture sensors, telemetry, and computer modeling tools to predict crop ET under field conditions. This is a one-year, grant- or contract-funded position; continued employment depends on funding availability and satisfactory performance. The position requires on-site presence and is not eligible for remote work.

The associate conducts crop ET monitoring and irrigation-management research, installs field equipment and sensors, analyzes and documents data, and prepares findings for peer-reviewed publications. Duties also include collecting and organizing plant samples, participating in field-plot activities, mentoring student researchers, preparing presentations and sponsor reports, and traveling to field sites and professional events when necessary. Work beyond normal business hours and on weekends may be required.

Requirements

• PhD in crop physiology, ecology, hydrology, or agricultural engineering.
• Strong ability to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, handle scientific data, perform statistical analysis, and write scientific reports.
• Evidence of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, students, and staff.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel independently to field sites and other locations as needed.
• Ability to work beyond normal business hours and/or on weekends.
• Ability to lift or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct crop evapotranspiration monitoring research using eddy covariance ET sensors and crop root-zone soil-moisture sensors.
• Use crop-modeling knowledge and sensor-data telemetry to complete irrigation-management research projects involving cotton, spinach, onions, and corn.
• Analyze data and summarize results for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Plan and install equipment and sensors to monitor ET and soil-water content under field conditions.
• Use web-based ET modules to document and analyze seasonal crop water use.
• Prepare, collect, and organize samples for plant-growth and related biochemical analyses.
• Compile full documentation of data and metadata, including computer and mathematical models used in data analysis.
• Participate in field activities such as planting, weeding, irrigating, and harvesting experimental plots.
• Travel independently or with others to field plots, growers’ farms, and conference locations in Texas and other states when necessary.
• Assist, mentor, and/or supervise student researchers and graduate students working on related research.
• Prepare presentations for research and extension field days and professional conferences.
• Prepare technical progress reports for research sponsors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, with AgriLife contributing to premiums.
• 12–15 annual paid holidays.
• Up to 8 hours per month of sick leave.
• At least 8 hours per month of vacation.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Employee Wellness Initiative.
• Access to professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs.

What This Job Offers

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