Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Amarillo

Proposed Minimum Salary

$4,584.00 monthly

Job Location

Amarillo, 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 nations 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!

This position provides leadership to the analysis, synthesis, and publication of (a) continuous monitoring data and (b) residual data sets from research campaigns, as well as synthesis and interpretation of (c) peer-reviewed papers published by AgriLife faculty and co-investigators between 2001-2025 pertaining to environmental air quality and ruminant livestock production in the southern and central High Plains.

The incumbent will report directly to the Professor and Center Director (Amarillo, TX), who will be responsible for overall strategic and technical guidance, project scheduling, and performance review. Technical supervision on air quality engineering and bioaerosol sciences will be provided by the Professor and Center Director (Amarillo, TX) and Associate Professor of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (College Station, TX), respectively. Technical supervision on data analysis, statistics, and database management will be provided by the Assistant Professor of Agricultural Statistics (WTAMU).

Responsibilities:

+ Leads and submits for publication a literature review that describes the current state of the science on livestock-derived bioaerosols, ambient air quality, and human and animal health.

+ Under the supervision of the Professor and Center Director (Texas A&M AgriLife Research Amarillo) and in close consultation with his support staff and faculty collaborators, analyzes continuous-monitoring data on ground-level particulate-matter concentrations and mesoscale weather to develop an empirical understanding of dust-emission mechanics and meteorological influences.

+ Consults closely with the Professor and Center Director and co-investigators to confirm assumptions, identify and use appropriate data sources, and examine scientific rationale and conclusions.

+ Drives motor vehicles to/from locations including but not limited to the Amarillo Center, Bushland, Amarillo Rick Husband International Airport, and West Texas A&M University for consultations and travel.

+ Leads the preparation, submittal, and reviewer responses/revisions of one or more manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals documenting the research findings from these data sets and from reviews of the most recent, relevant literature.

+ Initiates and coordinates project-team meetings, both in person and via Microsoft Teams or other videoconferencing application, with the Professor and Center Director, his support staff, and allied faculty researchers.

+ Uses computers and technical equipment to perform data analysis, statistical analysis, and technical evaluation of air quality, weather, and related data; summarizes results for inclusion in scientific and clientele-oriented publications.

+ Prepares and writes proposals to funding agencies; maintain financial records related to research projects.

+ Uses presentation graphics and multimedia to develop presentations and documents.

+ Serves on appropriate committees of Texas A&M AgriLife Research-Amarillo, as assigned.

+ Performs other, related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

+ A doctoral degree in agricultural or air quality engineering, aerosol science, atmospheric sciences, or a closely related field.

+ Three years of professional experience in agricultural or biological research.

Preferred Education & Experience:

Five years of professional experience in agricultural or biological research, including demonstrated experience in livestock nutrition or health and/or related disciplines.

Preferred Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

+ Texas Drivers License.

+ Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written English.

+ Ability to use a computer and software effectively to create databases, perform statistical analyses, present data, and perform other computer-related tasks, including competence in one or more modern programming languages.

+ Working familiarity with statistical and geospatial software (R, ArcGIS, QGIS) and atmospheric dispersion modeling (AERMOD, WindTrax, CALPUFF) is strongly preferred.

+ Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

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 packing 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 leaveand at leasteight hours of paid vacation each month

+ Automatic enrollment in theTeacher Retirement System of Texas

+ Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

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.

Required Documents

Successful candidates must answer all questions and attach a CV.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institutions verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institutions procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.