Assistant Professor

Job Description

Texas A&M Agri Life Research seeks an outstanding, innovative, dynamic research faculty in Agricultural Economics at the rank of Assistant Professor. This appointment will be 12 months, non-tenured, 100% Research, and administratively located with Texas A&M Agri Life Research Center at El Paso. In addition, this position will be affiliated with the Department of Agricultural Economics within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

The applicant will work closely with other scientists within the department, Texas A&M University main campus and other system campuses, and Texas A&M Agri Life Research to build a highly impactful, externally funded, nationally recognized, and self‑sustainable research program.

The incumbent will be expected to lead a nationally prominent research program focused on economic evaluation of Agri Life Research innovations related to one or more of these areas:
1) the influence of various regenerative agricultural/processing techniques and production/processing inputs (e.g., organic, hydroponics, algae treatment, fertilizer treatment, etc.) on the nutritional value of food; and/or
2) consumer preferences and nutrition quality perceptions of food products grown using various regenerative agricultural/processing techniques and production/processing inputs.

The successful candidate will work closely with faculty at Texas A&M Agri Life Research Center at El Paso, engaging in soil quality, water conservation, and horticulture research related to local crops such as pecans, pistachios, and peppers. The successful candidate will also work with existing public health nutrition faculty and agricultural economics faculty to study consumer preferences and perceptions.

• Develop a research program addressing research advances in one or more of the following focus areas:
• Economic analysis of various regenerative agricultural/processing techniques and production/processing inputs (e.g., organic, hydroponics, algae treatment, fertilizer treatment, etc.)
• Consumer preferences for foods grown with various regenerative agricultural/processing techniques and production/processing inputs (e.g., organic, hydroponics, algae treatment, fertilizer treatment, etc.)
• Consumers’ nutrition quality perceptions of food products grown using various regenerative agricultural/processing techniques and production/processing inputs.
• Conduct and report economic analyses addressing production, marketing, sustainability, and environmental impacts of research developments addressing issues in one or more of the focus areas.
• Participate on interdisciplinary teams with faculty in the Agri Life Research and Extension Centers and where appropriate the Texas A&M University main campus and other system campuses.
• Compete aggressively for federal, state, commodity group, and other competitive funding in focus and related research areas.
• Publish research results in peer‑reviewed journals.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences.
• Train and mentor current and next‑generation scientists, including students and Postdocs.
• Support Extension Specialists in the Agri Life Research and Extension Center network in developing educational materials related to research evaluations and projected/realized outcomes.
• Serve as an advisor to graduate students and secure external funding to support graduate assistantships.
• Develop working relationships with relevant industry and commodity groups and, where appropriate, participate in industry and professional meetings.
• Serve on unit, department, agency, and university committees as appropriate.
• Travel occasionally to participate in meetings and conduct research programs plus support related outreach.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Reports directly to the Center Director, Texas A&M Agri Life Research Center at El Paso, with guidance from the Department of Agricultural Economics within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
• Directs the work of support staff, and other technical personnel and…