Research Associate

Agency

Department

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 how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

The Research Associate performs independent or supervisory roles in research activities requiring an advanced level of knowledge in a field of science or learning, are predominantly intellectual and varied in character, and require consistent use of discretion and judgment. Prepare proposals for funding agencies, operation of research equipment, supervision of graduate students and other lab/field personnel in research.

Responsibilities:

• Implement the research activities assigned by the project leader.

• Prepare and supervise the packaging of seeds for field trials and a breeding nursery along with maintaining seed inventory.

• Plant field plots; apply herbicides, fertilizers and irrigation water according to research protocols.

• Pollinate and harvest nursery.

• Collect data and samples from field experiments.

• Harvest yield trials and other breeding materials.

• Shell and process hand-harvested corn ears.

• Use computers and laboratory or technical equipment to perform data analysis, statistical analysis, and technical evaluation of research experiments and results.

• Perform NIR-based grain quality analysis; inoculate ears with A. flavus inoculum and analyze grain samples for aflatoxin.

• Supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and other laboratory, technical or field staff involved in research.

• Install, operate and/or repair research equipment.

• Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifiacations:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.

• Two years of related professional experience.

• Familiarity with appropriate laboratory and/or technical equipment.

• Ability to effectively utilize a computer and applicable software to create databases, perform statistical analyses, present data and perform other computer related tasks.

• Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

Other Requirements:

Ability to work in weekends and holidays during planting, pollination, and harvesting season.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications

Applicant Instructions: Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

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.