Assistant Professor

Job Title

Assistant Professor

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Amarillo

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Amarillo, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

This position will be responsible for leadership, planning, resourcing, and conducting research in applied genetics and genomics as a team member of the statewide Texas A&M AgriLife Small Grains Research and Extension Program (SGREP).

Appointment: 100% Texas A&M AgriLife Research. 12-month appointment; non-tenure track. Position includes an academic appointment with the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

General Duties and Responsibilities: Responsible for leadership, planning, resourcing, and conducting research in applied genetics and genomics as a team member of the statewide Texas A&M AgriLife Small Grains Research and Extension Program (SGREP). The SGREP is organized into two Centers of Excellence that conduct cultivar development, genetic studies, agronomic and pest-management research, and grain and forage quality studies in wheat, oat, and triticale. The Amarillo Center of Excellence targets principally the High and Rolling Plains of Texas; the College Station Center of Excellence targets Central Texas, South Texas, and the Blacklands. This position is assigned to the Amarillo Center of Excellence as outlined in the SGREP Strategic Plan. However, collaboration with AgriLife personnel throughout the state is expected. Activities may include germplasm enhancement, molecular marker development and implementation, acceleration of traditional breeding programs through advanced technologies (genomic selection, doubled haploid, etc.), and elucidating mechanisms of stress resistance. Research should lead to increased profitability and measurable impact through stress resistance, increased yield, and enhanced end-use quality and value of grain and forage. Targeted stresses include but are not limited to drought, high temperature, mite-vectored viruses, greenbug, Hessian fly, rusts, and emerging threats such as stem sawfly.

Administrative Relationships: The appointee will report to the Center Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research-Amarillo, who will conduct an annual performance evaluation with participation by the Head of the Soil and Crop Sciences Department at Texas A&M University, College Station. Budgets, facilities, and operations for the program are administered by the Center Director. Promotion decisions are the prerogative of the Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research and are managed through Texas A&M AgriLife Research and its Promotion Committee. Promotion processes and decisions will conform to the policies and procedures of the agency and the Texas A&M University System.

Qualifications: By date of appointment, must possess an earned Ph. D. in plant breeding, genetics, or closely related disciplines. Skilled at standard molecular biology, genomics techniques, and data analytics. Demonstrated capability to perform independent research, supervise scientific support staff and graduate students, and publish research results in high-quality, refereed journals. Effective oral and written communication skills in English. Demonstrated ability to write research articles, research reports, and grant applications. The successful candidate must demonstrate knowledge and research experience in crop-production systems, soil/water/nutrient management, and systems evaluation. Strong computer skills and experience in conducting and managing research projects beyond the Ph.D. The ability to cooperate with other scientists and to attract competitive funding is essential for success in this position. Post-doctoral experience is preferred in genetics/genomics applicable to small-grains improvement.

Agency Description: Texas A&M AgriLife Research is an agency of the State of Texas and is administered by the Texas A&M University System, with 600+ research faculty located on the main campus and at 13 regional research centers across the state.

Headquarters: Texas A&M AgriLife Research at Amarillo, Texas.

Area Served: Primarily serves the Texas High and Rolling Plains; partners with scientists at Texas A&M and other universities, agencies, and neighboring states as appropriate.

Facilities: Current research facilities include an equipped 500 ft2 small grains genetics lab located in Amarillo and access to plant growth greenhouses and growth chambers at Bushland. Shares resources with the Wheat Breeding Program, include the Porter Seed Storage and Processing Building, 4,500 ft2 of greenhouse space, and small-plot field research equipment and facilities. Where appropriate, scientific collaboration is expected with scientists at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service Conservation & Production Research Laboratory at Bushland, TX, and with closely aligned faculty at Texas A&M University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and West Texas A&M University's Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. As of 01 Jan 2024, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are building a new Research and Extension Center on the campus of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX, which will feature 10,750 ft2 of modern research laboratories, including ~1,200 ft2 devoted to the small-grains improvement program (breeding and genetics). This state-of-the-art facility is expected to be occupied in late summer 2025.

Successful candidates must attach a CV and answer all questions.

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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.