Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M AgriLife Research; Temple (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation

Retirement plan

Job summary

Texas A&M AgriLife Research in Temple, Texas seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support a USDA-funded project evaluating concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and manure management using the APEX agroecosystem model. The position focuses on enhancement, integration and evaluation of model components for farm-scale carbon and nitrogen cycling.

The successful candidate will conduct literature reviews, curate field datasets, develop algorithms in scientific programming languages,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Rangeland Management, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience in designing, analyzing, and interpreting data from field studies.
• Strong project management and technical writing capabilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and gap analyses on regenerative animal production systems, manure management in CAFOs, and C–N cycling in soils, vegetation, manure, and livestock.
• Acquire, curate, and analyze field measurement datasets and associated environmental and economic information for model parameterization and validation.
• Develop or enhance model algorithms simulating carbon and nutrient budgets under varying manure housing and management practices using scientific programming languages.
• Implement newly developed modules and improvements into the APEX ecosystem simulation model.
• Assess agroecosystem C–N cycling dynamics influenced by concentrated ruminant‑livestock operations and changing environmental conditions.
• Evaluate and refine the performance of the enhanced model across various dairy systems and livestock/grazing management scenarios.
• Document model development processes and disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and technical reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Scientific writing

Data analysis

Project management

Independent work

Collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences / related

Tools

EPIC/APEX/RUFAS/GLEAM

Python

Fortran

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 Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Temple

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Temple, 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 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.

Position Information

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Agricultural, Animal, Rangeland, or Environmental Sciences

Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Temple, Texas

Project: Enhancing APEX for simulating environmental and economic impacts of CAFO operations using the APEX model, funded by USDA-NRCS.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Postdoctoral Research Associate to support a USDA-funded project evaluating concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and manure management systems using the APEX agroecosystem model. The successful candidate will contribute to the enhancement, integration, and evaluation of model components for farm-scale carbon and nitrogen cycling across various livestock and manure management practices.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and gap analyses on regenerative animal production systems, manure management in CAFOs, and C–N cycling in soils, vegetation, manure, and livestock.
• Acquire, curate, and analyze field measurement datasets and associated environmental and economic information for model parameterization and validation.
• Develop or enhance model algorithms simulating carbon and nutrient budgets under varying manure housing and management practices using scientific programming languages.
• Implement newly developed modules and improvements into the APEX ecosystem simulation model.
• Assess agroecosystem C–N cycling dynamics influenced by concentrated ruminant‑livestock operations and changing environmental conditions.
• Evaluate and refine the performance of the enhanced model across various dairy systems and livestock/grazing management scenarios.
• Document model development processes and disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and technical reports.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Rangeland Management, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience in designing, analyzing, and interpreting data from field studies.
• Strong project management and technical writing capabilities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient understanding of factors governing carbon and nitrogen cycling in farm-scale CAFO operations.
• Prior experience with process-based models such as EPIC, APEX, RUFAS, BCSM, GLEAM, or similar simulation frameworks.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., Python, Fortran) for data processing, model development, and computational analysis.

What You Need To Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Position Funding: This position is contingents on performance and availability of funding. Continuation of the position is contingent upon ongoing funding.

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 package 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

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.