Assistant Professor

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

We are seeking an Assistant Professor in the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Vernon. 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 and/or water resources 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. Expectations are to build a highly impactful, externally funded, nationally recognized, and self-sustainable research program.

Responsibilities:

• Build an externally funded, nationally recognized, self-sustainable research program that addresses issues facing the agricultural industry in Texas related to productivity and sustainability.
• Address the researchable issues related to 1) regenerative soil practices; 2) cover crops; 3) integrated crop and rangeland management to produce forage for domestic animals and wildlife; 4) conservation tillage and crop rotation; 5) soil water management and infiltration; 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 greenhouse gas emissions and soil health parameters.
• Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports, and algorithms and models will be shared with stakeholders and the scientific and forest management communities.
• Engage with industry professionals and cooperate in outreach activities relevant to stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Administrative Relationships: 

• Reports directly to the Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research-Vernon, with input from the Department of Soils and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station.
• Directs the work of support staff, and other technical personnel and graduate students assigned to the project.
• Promotion decisions are the joint responsibility of the Center Director and the Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research; and will conform to the policies and procedures of the agency and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences for the Texas A&M University System.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in an area of Soil Science or a closely related field by hire date.
• Experience with production agriculture management practices and related activities.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications of original research.
• Valid driver’s license/ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge and understanding of the mission and role of the Land Grant University System.
• Strong quantitative skills.
• Excellence in verbal and written communication, including a relevant publication record.
• Highly organized and professional demeanor.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Team-building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior academic, post-doctoral, or professional experience.
• Prior research experience on production agriculture.
• Experience 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 that will enhance graduate student education.
• Outreach experience with stakeholder interaction.

Additional information:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research: https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu/
• Texas A&M AgriLife Vernon Research and Extension Center at Vernon: https://vernon.tamu.edu/
• Texas A&M University Department of Soil and Crop Sciences: https://soilcrop.tamu.edu/

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 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 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

Applicant Instructions

Applicants must upload a single document including:

• 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)
• Contact information for three references

Closing Date for Applications:  To be given full consideration, please submit application by July 31, 2025. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. The anticipated start date is Jan 5, 2026.

Questions should be directed to: Dr. Richard Vierling, Center Director, richard.vierling@ag.tamu.edu, 314-308-5404.

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.