Research Specialist I

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, this position is involved in agricultural policy research involving AFPC’s network of representative farms and the AFPC farm level simulation model. This position will collect necessary data through both primary and secondary sources. Data manipulation and analysis using a variety of modeling tools and techniques will be a key responsibility along with conveying results in a clear and concise manner through written and verbal communication via outlets including, but not limited to, working and briefing paper publications, scholarly articles, and presentations. Work is performed under general supervision with evaluation based on the successful completion of tasks assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• Four years of related experience.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to attend meetings in person throughout major agricultural production regions across the entire United States as needed.
• Work beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends when timeliness of project completion is imperative for end users and other stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Master of Science in Agricultural Economics.
• Experience collecting primary data from agricultural producers and other clientele through interviews utilizing a modified Delphi approach.
• Experience entering data in a farm visit editor for the FarmESP farm-level simulation model.
• Data entry and analysis involving row crop, cow-calf, dairy, and/or cattle feeding operations.
• Working knowledge of a variety of types of commercial agricultural operations.
• Professional writing with an emphasis in livestock and agricultural policy.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build a strong rapport with an array of clientele.

Responsibilities

• Attend in-person agricultural focus group meetings to collect primary data necessary to develop and maintain AFPC representative crop, livestock, and specialty crop farms.
• Process farm-level data and conduct whole-farm simulation model analyses for AFPC clientele including House and Senate Agriculture Committee staff and other stakeholders.
• Performs and reviews simulation modeling using FarmESP, AFPC’s Python-based farm level simulation model.
• Assist AFPC faculty and research staff in developing scientific publications and presentations necessary to communicate study results.
• Conduct decision aid analyses for a nationwide network of existing and future clients/users.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

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: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level