Natural Resources Job Board

Starting date: Application review will continue until the position is filled. 

Application Due: Open until filled. 

Position: Research Associate. 12-month appointment renewed annually based on performance and funds availability. Competitive salary with benefits. 

Requisition number: R-072783 

Offered by: Texas A&M Agrilife Research @ Vernon, TX 

Where: Vernon, Texas 

Lab supervisor: Dr. Nuria Gomez-Casanovas 

Research fields: ecology, climate-smart agriculture 

 

JOB  DESCRIPTION  

Perform independent roles in research projects in ecology and climate-smart agriculture. Research activities will require an advanced level of knowledge in these fields and will require consistent use of discretion and judgement. The successful candidate will operate research equipment, and help supervise graduate students and other lab/field personnel in research. 

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

The Lab combines novel lab, field and modeling experiments in a holistic way to advance science at the nexus of Food, Energy and Environmental Security. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join a vibrant and diverse research community promoting a culture of collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. Our focus is to find answers to one of today’s grand challenges: How can we sustainably provide sufficient food, feed and energy as the population continues to grow while enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agricultural and managed land? The successful candidate will contribute to projects that aim at: 1) investigating how biochar amendment affects the C cycling of grassland ecosystems in Texas; 2) studying how climate-change resilience plant traits affect the biogeochemistry of canes in the Southern US; and, 3) investigating how utility-scale photovoltaics influence provisioning and supporting ecosystem services and soil organic carbon dynamics in rangelands. 

 

RESPONSABILITIES
-Plan, conduct and coordinate experiments in support of various research projects in ecology and climate-smart agriculture. 

-Evaluate, select, and apply standard techniques of routine research including state-of-the-art scientific methods (canopy/soil/lab-based exchange chamber and stable isotopes methods, eddy covariance, biometric and biogeochemical methods) 

- Keep detailed records of data.
 -Use computers and laboratory or technical equipment to perform data analysis, statistical analysis, and technical evaluation of research experiments and results
 -Summarize results for inclusion in scientific and clientele-oriented publications.
 -Maintain financial accounts related to research projects.
 -Help supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and other laboratory, technical or field staff involved in research.
 -Install, operate and/or repair research equipment. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
-Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
 -Two years of related professional experience. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
-Ability to work independently 

-Ability to effectively analyze information and make reasoned judgments 

-Familiarity with appropriate laboratory and/or technical equipment including state-of-the-art scientific methods (canopy/soil/lab-based exchange chamber and stable isotopes methods, eddy covariance, biometric and biogeochemical methods)
 -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. 

-Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

 

HOW TO APPLY 

Applicants should upload 

1) A cover letter clearly explaining your research interests/experience and suitability for the advertised position (2 pages maximum) 

2) A resume or CV, and 

3) Names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for three references 

 

TO: https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/AgriLife_Research_External/details/Research-Associate_R-072783?q=VERNON 

 

The position will remain open until filled. Contact Dr. Gomez-Casanovas via email (nuri.gomez-casanovas@ag.tamu.edu) with subject line ‘Research Associate_ R-072783’ for more information.