Assistant Professor Soil Science

Job Title

Assistant Professor Soil Science

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Stephenville

Proposed Minimum Salary

$8,333.00 monthly

Job Location

Stephenville, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

Assistant Professor – Soil Science

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Stephenville, Texas

Position Description:

Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeks an outstanding, innovative, and dynamic research faculty in Soil Science at the rank of Assistant Professor. This appointment will be 12 months, non-tenured, 75% Research, 25% Extension, and administratively located with the Texas A&M AgriLife Center in Stephenville, Texas. In addition, this position will be affiliated with the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. The applicant will work closely with other scientists within the department, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, to build a highly impactful, externally funded, nationally recognized, and self-sustainable research program that addresses issues facing agricultural producers in Texas related to productivity and sustainability.

Qualified candidates should be inter-disciplinary scientists who can use multiple tools and approaches with a desire to advance science at the intersection of soil health with plant production, soil-plant-microbe interactions, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon sequestration. The successful candidate should be prepared to develop and implement an independent research program that contributes to the development of economically viable solutions, secure extramural funding, maintain a consistent publishing record in peer reviewed journals, and build collaborations with research and extension faculty at the Center and throughout the Texas A&M system and other universities.

A central component of this position is Extension. The faculty member will engage directly with county extension agents, producers, land managers, and agricultural stakeholders to translate research into practice. They will develop and deliver science-based outreach programs that promote soil health, enhance grazing land productivity, and support the adoption of regenerative practices across various agricultural landscapes. This position will significantly strengthen our research portfolio, amplify our extension impact, and position our unit as a leader in soil health and regenerative agriculture.

Position Responsibilities:

• Build an externally funded, nationally recognized, self-sustainable research and extension program that addresses issues facing the agricultural industry in Texas related to productivity and agricultural sustainability.

• Address the researchable issues related to 1) regenerative soil practices; 2) use of microalgae to enhance soil health (this topic will be given special attention); 3) integrated crop and rangeland management to produce forage for domestic animals and wildlife; 4) conservation tillage and crop rotation; 5) soil water management with infiltrated and runoff water quality; and 6) carbon and nutrient cycling. Research will be focused on one or more of the topics listed but will be designed to also evaluate impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and soil health parameters.

• Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports.

• The candidate will support the County Extension Agent network in the Central Extension Region by assisting in extension programs and by training County Extension Agents.

• Provide Extension education programming to area commodity groups and other stakeholders. Travels to outdoor field environments, off-campus research sites and collaborating institutions as part of the research program.

• Through active collaboration with allied Extension specialists, support the development and delivery of Extension programs and outreach activities that promote the adoption of innovative soil science practices in the Central Extension Region.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Administrative Relationships:

• For the research portion of this position, the candidate will report directly to the Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center – Stephenville, with input from the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station. For the Extension portion of the position the direct supervisor will be the Associate Department Head, who will work in close collaboration with the Center Director.

• Directs the work of support staff and other technical personnel and graduate students assigned to the project.

Qualifications:  

Required job qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Soil Science or a closely related discipline completed by the hire date

• Demonstrated experience with production agriculture systems, management practices, and related field activities

• Evidence of strong quantitative skills including data analysis, modeling, or statistical methods

• A record of peer-reviewed publications that reflects the ability to conduct and disseminate original research

• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within a reasonable timeframe

Preferred job qualifications:

• Prior academic, post-doctoral, or professional experience

• Experience securing funding and working with federal agencies or in other multi-agency collaborative settings

• Grant writing experience and evidence of the ability to attract external funding

• Modest teaching experience will enhance graduate student education

• Outreach experience with stakeholder interaction

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellence in verbal and written communication, including relevant publication records

• Team-building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities

• Strong communication skills

• Highly organized

• Professional demeanor

• Ability to multi-task and establish effective working relationships

• Knowledge and understanding of the mission and role of the Land Grant University System

Location and Facilities:

This position will be affiliated with the Texas A&M University Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and will contribute to departmental programs. Stationed at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Stephenville, the proposed faculty member will join a multi-disciplinary Center with expertise in livestock management, plant ecology, genetics and microbiology, cropping systems, peanut breeding, entomology, and rangeland regenerative agriculture. The primary agricultural and natural resource industries in this area are dairy, cattle, hay, peanut, pecan, viticulture, biofuel, grassland restoration, and equine. The Stephenville Center houses 5 Research and 6 Extension faculty. The faculty member will have access to newly established laboratories and shared equipment valued at approximately $1 million. The program will also utilize the Stephenville facilities, including greenhouses, laboratory and office space, classrooms, and conference rooms. The Center offers approximately 170 acres (70 ha) of irrigated cropland supported by 2 center pivots, 5 irrigation wells, and an additional 400 acres (160 ha) suitable for rainfed cropping, animal systems, and pasture research. The Stephenville Center recently began operation and management of the Slaughter-Harris Ranch, a 900-acre (365 ha) property with 3 domestic wells for livestock production research and Brazos River water rights available for irrigation; plans are to utilize this facility for carbon and greenhouse gas mitigation initiatives. Stephenville, Texas, is also home to Tarleton State University, which is a member of the Texas A&M University System providing unique opportunities for cooperative research and access to local graduate and undergraduate students.

The Department of Soil and Crop Sciences in College Station, Texas, is a nationally and internationally ranked program that engages in research disciplines including plant breeding and genetics, biotechnology, crop physiology, agronomy, forage and turfgrass management, cereal chemistry, soil science, weed science, and environmental soil, water and crop science. It is home to 92 faculty members, including 29 tenure-track, 42 research, 20 Extension, and 1 professional-track with teaching, research, and/or extension appointments. The department offers a comprehensive range of programs including 3 doctoral programs, 3 master’s degree programs, and 2 bachelor’s degree programs. The department’s faculty have a statewide presence with representation in all 13 Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Centers. The department's Extension program is the largest in the country, supporting all 254 counties across the 12 Extension districts in Texas.

Additional information:

Texas A&M AgriLife Research: https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu/

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

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center – Stephenville: https://stephenville.tamu.edu/

Texas A&M University Department of Soil and Crop Sciences: https://soilcrop.tamu.edu/

Application Procedure: 

Applicants must upload a

• Cover letter (two-page limit)

• Curriculum vitae including a list of three references and their contact information within the CV

• Vision statements of research and service (two-page limit)

To be given full consideration, please submit applications by April 30, 2026. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. The anticipated start date is June 1, 2026.

Questions:  Address inquiries to Search Committee Chair: Dr. Jeff Brady, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Stephenville, [email protected], 254-592-5439.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• 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

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.