General Description:

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension are seeking an outstanding, innovative, and dynamic research and extension faculty member capable of leadership and management in the climate-responsive rice crop management area. This appointment will be 12 month, non-tenured, 75% Research/25% Extension, administratively located with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center in Beaumont, Texas with additional research facilities located 140 miles west of the Beaumont Center near Eagle Lake, TX. The academic appointment will be with a department in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences in College Station, Texas. The incumbent will be expected to lead a nationally prominent research and extension program focused on regional needs related to climate-smart agricultural practices, with emphasis on rice crop management.

Position Responsibilities:

The incumbent will improve the profitability of rice production in Texas through the development and use of climate-smart agricultural practices.

• The incumbent is expected to conduct applied and discovery research and educate producers and other stakeholders on how to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of crop management practices;

• Emphases include adaptive research and extension on smart water management practices in rice that enhance the use efficiencies of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other fertilizers, and how these practices affect water quality, soil health, greenhouse gas emissions, and the management of weeds, diseases, and insect pests;

• The incumbent is expected to work with other researchers to incorporate sensor technologies for high-throughput phenotyping and guide Texas rice producers in the profitable incorporation of digital technologies into their production practices;

• On-farm research and demonstration trials across the Texas Rice Belt are expected;

• Opportunities will exist to work with producer groups to add value to the rice crop by achieving market standards for climate-smart practices and grain quality;

• The incumbent will be expected to work closely as a member of research and extension teams whose activities address economically and environmentally sustainable rice production achieved through plant breeding, nutrient management, management of soil-, climatic-, and pest-induced stresses, and improved understanding of how key physiological processes impact crop growth, development, and yield;

• The incumbent will be expected to develop a nationally competitive, externally funded, applied research/extension outreach program, and collaborate closely with scientists across the Texas A&M University System, the USDA/ARS, other states, and globally;

• The incumbent is expected to provide training to undergraduate and graduate students and to produce scholarly publications, and traditional and online research outreach and extension materials.

Administrative Relationships: 

The position reports to the Center Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Beaumont. Performance evaluation is conducted jointly by the Center Director, the Head of the incumbent’s department, and the Associate Head for Extension in the appropriate department at Texas A&M University. 

Required Qualifications:  

• Ph.D. in crop physiology, soil science, agronomy, entomology, agricultural engineering, or a closely related discipline, with a strong emphasis in cropping systems and water management, is required;

• Record of innovative research, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and demonstrated experience in obtaining extramural funding;

• Proven track record of working with crop producers and county extension agents through field days, turn-row meetings, and internet-based offerings;

• Demonstrated expertise in partnering with researchers in the development of local, state, and national competitive grant proposals;

• Demonstrated expertise in implementing superior production and crop management decision aids;

• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate with growers, consultants, extension agents, and researchers.

Preferred Experience:  

• Preference will be given to candidates who have a strong background in the translational research-extension interface and the development and delivery of science-based crop management improvements to a wide range of clientele groups;

• Familiarity with U.S. rice production practices.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Excellent English oral, written, and electronic communication skills;

• Ability to use personal computer to communicate effectively, prepare proposals to include cost information on spreadsheets, and provide reports of activities;

• Ability to work both independently and as a member of multidisciplinary teams;

• Excellent ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and stakeholders;

• Ability to multi-task and recruit and manage support staff effectively.

Location:

Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Beaumont, 8 miles W. on Hwy 90, near China, TX.

Facilities: The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Beaumont houses about 40 scientists, research and administrative support staff, and students. Facilities include ca. 940 acres of land near Beaumont and ca. 113 acres near Eagle Lake, Texas. The Beaumont Center also has a dormitory for hosting students and visitors. The incumbent will be provided with office, laboratory, and greenhouse space, field research sites, partial support for a technician, and start-up funds.

Additional information about Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences is available at: 

Texas A&M AgriLife Research: https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu/about-texas-am-agrilife-research/

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/about/

Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences: https://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Beaumont: https://beaumont.tamu.edu

Application Information: Application packets must be submitted via the Texas A&M AgriLife electronic application portal.

Applications should contain the following:

• Letter of application that highlights their qualifications for the position.

• A proposed research and extension statement of up to three pages.

• A list of up to five references qualified to assess the applicant. Provide name, title, affiliation, physical address, phone number, and email address for each.

• Curriculum vita that contains sections in the following order:

  • Summary of university degrees and relevant graduate and post-graduate research and training

  • Summary of related employment history

• List of publications (authors, year, title, journal, volume, and pages) separated by peer-reviewed journal papers, book chapters, abstracts, non-refereed papers, and producer-oriented publications, with a brief description of the role the applicant played in producing each publication

• List of grants and gift awards, including authors, the year each grant was funded, funding duration, title, total award amount, the amount attributed to the applicant, and granting agency, with a brief description of the role the applicant played in developing each

• List of intellectual property with a description of the role the applicant played in its development

• List of presentations (including authors, title, event, location, and date) separated by invited or volunteered; international, national, regional, or state; and research, service, or other

• List of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and undergraduate students trained, and the focus of extension and research activities conducted under your supervision

• A statement that the applicant is a U.S. citizen or can be legally employed in the country. Otherwise, provide an explanation of why obtaining legal authorization to work is highly likely, and the steps the applicant needs to take to complete the authorization.

• Copy of official record of transcripts of undergraduate and graduate degrees

• PDF copies of up to five peer-reviewed publications, up to five extension research/outreach publications, and up to two grant proposals to demonstrate strengths relevant to the position.

• Please make single PDF. 

Closing date for applications:  Applications will be reviewed beginning April 14, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

For more information, please contact: Ms. Brandy Morace, bmorace@aesrg.tamu.edu , Sr. Administrative Coordinator II. Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, 1509 Aggie Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713. Phone: (409) 752-3045.

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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.