Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Agricultural Economics

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,583.34 monthly

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

About Texas A&M AgriLife

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M Forest Service
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about joining AgriLife!

Job Summary:

Under the direction of Dr. Maria Bampasidou, this position will be for the USDA-NIFA AFRI-funded project "Adapting to Digitalization: Labor Market Access and Workforce Development in Tech-driven Agricultural Systems." The successful candidate will work closely under the direction of Dr. Maria Bampasidou and Dr. Yuri Calil with an interdisciplinary team spanning digital agriculture, data sciences, soil and crop sciences, and ethics.

The research investigates how emerging technologies (including AI, computer vision, drones, and autonomous decision tools) reshape farm labor demand, skill requirements, technology adoption, trust, and overall rural communities. The postdoctoral scholar will bridge rigorous quantitative applied microeconomics and qualitative social science methods to map digital divides, model stakeholder perceptions of digital divides, and develop pathways for resilient agricultural workforce development.

The position provides a unique opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of faculty, producer organizations, and other stakeholders to develop research that informs industry decision-making and public policy. The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to build productive partnerships and contribute to collaborative multidisciplinary research efforts.

Responsibilities

Research Design, Fieldwork, and Data Analytics (60%)

• Design, implement, and analyze primary qualitative and quantitative data tools including producer/stakeholder focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and state/regional surveys across Texas and Louisiana.
• Model and analyze key dimensions of agricultural digital divides (skill, scale, geographic, and use divides) and their systemic impacts on labor demand and workforce retention.

Scholarly Outputs & Grant Writing (20%)

• Lead and co-author high-impact, peer-reviewed journal articles and present findings at major national and regional academic conferences.
• Collaborate with PIs on writing competitive grant proposals to expand project sustainability and funding.
• Translate research findings into extension briefs, factsheets, policy recommendations, and educational modules for producers, extension personnel, and industry partners.

Project Coordination and Collaborative Research (20%)

• Assist in co-advising, mentoring, and supervising Ph.D. and undergraduate students working on project deliverables.
• Coordinate project timelines, lead multi-institutional collaborator meetings, manage IRB protocols, and help prepare progress reports for grant sponsors.

Qualifications:

Required Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Public Policy, Economics (with emphasis on behavioral or labor economics), or a closely related social science such as Anthropology and Rural Sociology, completed by the start date.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise in applied research methods.
• Strong expertise in statistical and econometric software (e.g., R, Python, Stata) and experience with qualitative coding software.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity (published/accepted peer-reviewed articles or strong working papers).
• Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively address both academic journals and agricultural producer audiences.

Required Registrations, Certifications, and Licenses:

• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel independently for field research and focus group administration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience designing and implementing surveys and stakeholder-engaged research.
• Demonstrated experience in mixed-methods research (integrating qualitative focus groups/interviews with quantitative survey design).
• Experience with advanced modeling techniques (hierarchical linear modeling, structural equation modeling, or machine learning applications in social sciences).
• Familiarity with Southern U.S. agricultural systems, precision agriculture tools (AI, drones, smart machinery), and labor markets.
• Demonstrated experience with interdisciplinary research teams or cooperative extension programs.
  

Other Requirements:

• Travel independently to various field site locations to lead focus group sessions, and meet with producers, industry leaders, and extension agents.
• This may require working beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends.

What You Need to Know

Salary: $55,000/year, may be commensurate with candidate experience.

Position Funding:

Grants or contract position:

• This is a 2-year position funded through grants or contracts. Employment is contingent upon the continued availability of funding and satisfactory job performance.

Flexible Work Arrangements:

• This position requires an on-site presence and is not eligible for remote. Flexible work schedules may be available depending on the nature of the role.

Sponsorship:

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.

Important Notice Regarding H1-B Sponsorship:

Your employment at Texas A&M AgriLife may require nonimmigrant sponsorship. A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Texas A&M AgriLife will NOT pay this fee. If the fee is imposed on your petition, this offer of employment will be revoked. If actions taken during your employment result in the imposition of this fee, your employment will be terminated. To the extent that this statement conflicts with any applicable System or member Policy, Regulation, or Rule, this statement will control. We recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense regarding potential implications.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

Benefits and Leave:

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

How to Apply

Applications must include all job application data or a complete resume. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Applicants are encouraged to upload a resume or use LinkedIn to prepopulate application fields.

Required Documents:

To ensure full consideration, applicants should submit the following materials electronically by November 30, 2026:

• CV / Resume - including a full list of publications, presentations, and grant experience.
• Cover Letter - explicitly stating research interests, methodological training, and alignment with project objectives.
• Writing Sample (e.g., a published journal article, job market paper, or working paper).
• Contact Information for Three (3) Professional References.

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/Veterans/Disability Employer.