Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Ecology & Conservation Biology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

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!

Position Information

Job Summary:

The Postdoctoral Research Associate is responsible for conducting research both independently and collaboratively, including literature review and synthesis, design and conduct research to fill knowledge gaps identified, and publish research findings. Develop factsheets and other outreach materials and engage the stakeholders through outreach activities. This and another postdoc fellow will be stationed at the USDA ARS OCPARC lab in El Reno, Oklahoma and will collaborate with ARS and TAMU scientists.

Responsibilities:

This and another postdoc fellow will be stationed at the USDA ARS OCPARC lab in El Reno, Oklahoma and will collaborate with ARS and TAMU scientists to (1) develop science syntheses of regenerative conservation practices that are credited with promoting soil health and agricultural sustainability in farmland and rangeland of the southern Great Plains, (2) conduct applied field research in grazed tallgrass prairie pastures that are periodically burned and in pastures planted with annual cool and warm season forages, (3) coordinate communication with state and local NRCS staff to ensure that research questions are informed by stakeholder needs, and (4) develop factsheets and other outreach materials based on synthesis and research findings and engage the stakeholders through outreach activities. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

• • PhD in ecology or a related field, at the time of hiring 
  • Excellent technical writing skills; strong oral communication skills
  • Strong ability and skills for collaborative work
  • Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• • Significant research experience in the ecology and management of rangelands in the southern Great Plains; publications in peer-reviewed journals
  • Design and conduct field-based rangeland studies; GIS, remote sensing and spatial analysis and modeling using Google Earth Engine and R; meta-analysis; statistical analysis using R; regenerative conservation practices in rangelands; soil health assessment
  • Substantial experiences and strong skills in vegetation and/or grazing studies in rangelands of the southern Great Plains

Other Requirements: 

• • Ability to travel for fieldwork and meetings, sometimes outside of regular working days/hours.
  • Ability to conduct field work under challenging weather conditions (e.g., heat).
  • This position is funded through grants or contracts. Continued employment is dependent upon ongoing funding and satisfactory job performance.

What You Need to Know 

Salary: Compensation is commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications.  

Location: This position will be officed in the USDA ARS OCPARC lab in El Reno, Oklahoma.

Position Funding: This position is funded through grants or contracts. Continued employment is dependent upon ongoing funding and satisfactory job performance.

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: 

• CV / Resume 

• Cover Letter 

• List of References 

• Certifications / Additional Documentation (if applicable) 

Any questions, please contact Dr. X. Ben Wu at [email protected]

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.