Senior Research Associate

Texas A&M University System • College Station, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas A&M Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management is seeking a Research Associate with a strong work ethic to assist in executing projects related to exclusion fencing and mitigation of wild pig damage. Texas A&M University’s Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management (CGRM) aims to safeguard the ecologic and economic resiliency of grazingland resources and ranching operations with a focus on producer-directed, applied grazingland and ranch management research, outreach, and industry engagement. CGRM develops and supports interdisciplinary collaborations to address critical needs in the ranching community and strives to achieve three overarching goals: enhance operational resiliency, strengthen enterprise sustainability, and foster the future of the industry. The Senior Research Associate is responsible for conducting field-based wildlife research and wild pig management activities across Texas, including data collection, monitoring, stakeholder coordination, and project support. This position works closely with landowners and project partners to implement and evaluate research and damage mitigation efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field
• Four years of related professional experience
• Strong work ethic and self-motivated
• Ability to work in a remote location, sometimes under adverse conditions (hot, humid, biting/stinging insects), on working ranches with livestock operations
• Ability to work independently and as a team with minimum supervision and be capable of planning an effective work day
• Ability to analyze data and write reports
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently (verbal and written)
• Detail oriented
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others
• Ability to learn new skills and techniques

Nice To Haves

• M.S. degree in rangeland management, natural resource management or closely related field; GPA of ≥3.0; more than two years of experience
• Experience or working knowledge of ranching, wildlife, and rangeland management practices
• Experience working directly with producers
• Experience building various fence designs
• Experience using 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs/UTVs, farm machinery/tractors, and ability to tow trailers
• Knowledge or experience planning, coordinating, and conducting field activities
• Technical writing skills

Responsibilities

• Responsible for working directly with landowners, managers, biologists, ranchers, and a wide range of constituents.
• Responsible for all field related work such as identifying study sites, collecting baseline data, setting, filling and maintaining corn feeders, building small exclusion fences and plots, monitoring animal activity with remotely triggered cameras, reviewing and assimilating data from pictures and video, data entry, and report writing.
• May work with other project collaborators to design and implement wild pig exclusion methods in livestock operations to prevent damage, use of feed and water, and access to sensitive areas, which also may include use of farm equipment, implements, ATVs, UTVs, and similar to remediate damage from wild pigs.
• Frequent communication with landowners and coordination with project partners, so effective communication skills are required.
• Travel to multiple study locations across Texas.
• Performs 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: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior