Research Associate

Texas A&M University System; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation

Job summary

Texas A&M AgriLife Research, located in McGregor, Texas, seeks a Research Associate to contribute to advanced research activities at the McGregor Research Center, including supervising graduate students and lab staff.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree with at least two years of related experience, familiarity with laboratory equipment, data management, and the ability to coordinate data collection and analyses across multiple programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of two years of related professional experience.
• Familiarity with laboratory/technical equipment.
• Ability to use computer software to create databases.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to supervise research activities.
• Understanding and operation of research equipment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise experiments at the McGregor Research Center.
• Coordinate research schedules, labor, data collection and equipment use.
• Assist with data collection, feed management, and animal management as needed.
• Use computers and lab/technical equipment to analyze data and perform evaluations.
• Summarize results for publications and clientele.
• Maintain financial accounts related to research projects.
• Supervise students and staff during data collection.
• Coordinate data entry into AgriWebb, Farmbrite, and other systems.
• Assist with cattle management and husbandry tasks.
• Operate and maintain research equipment.
• Maintain training requirements for compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lab equipment handling

Data management

Communication skills

Supervisory abilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Advanced degree in relevant field

Tools

Computer software (databases)

Job description

Job Title

Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Mcgregor

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

McGregor, 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

Job Summary

The Research Associate performs independent or supervisory roles in research activities requiring an advanced level of knowledge in a field of science or learning, are predominantly intellectual and varied in character, and require consistent use of discretion and judgment. Understanding, operation and maintenance of research equipment, supervision of graduate students and other lab/field personnel in research, communication, problem solving skills, and time management are critical to the success of this position.

Responsibilities

• Supervise experiments in support of various research projects conducted at the McGregor Research Center: this includes scheduling facility use, communicating and coordinating research schedules for labor, data collection, and equipment use.
• Evaluate, select, and apply standard techniques of research; to include routine data collection for research and herd management. Collect, transfer, and summarize detailed records of data. Knowledge of program guidelines, procedures, policies, rules, and regulations: including AgriLife Animal Care & Use Committee and A&M Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee.
• Assist with research needs from research PI’s or graduate students during projects: this may include but not limited to data collection, feed management, animal management, adjustments to facility or pasture design, schedules, or research protocols.
• Use computers and laboratory or technical equipment to perform data analysis, statistical analysis, and technical evaluation of research experiments and results.
• Summarize results for inclusion in scientific and clientele-oriented publications.
• Maintain financial accounts related to research projects.
• Supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students and other laboratory, technical or field staff involved in research during research project data collections while at McGregor Research Center.
• Responsible for coordinating data collection and timely data entry into AgriWebb (McGregor’s livestock, pasture, and feed management program), Farmbrite (McGregor’s livestock inventory program), TEAMs Excel Cattle Files, Micro Beef Technologies (feedlot data software), as well as training other employees to use these programs.
• Assist with scheduled cattle management and husbandry processing. This includes (but is not limited to) vaccinations, tagging, mixing feed, feeding (rations or hay), animal movement, data collection, and maintaining animal records.
• Operate, maintain, update, and/or repair research equipment.
• Maintains training requirements for compliance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• Minimum of two years of related professional experience.
• Familiarity with appropriate laboratory and/or technical equipment.
• Ability to effectively utilize a computer and applicable software to create databases and perform other computer related task.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Perform independent or supervisory roles in research activities requiring an advanced level of knowledge in a field of science or learning, are predominantly intellectual and varied in character, and require consistent use of discretion and judgment.
• Understanding, operation of research equipment, supervision of graduate students and other lab/field personnel in research.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in relevant field.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation is commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications.

This is a part-time position.

Important Notice Regarding H1-B Sponsorship

Your employment at Texas A&M AgriLife may require nonimmigrant sponsorship. A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Texas A&M AgriLife will NOT pay this fee. If the fee is imposed on your petition, this offer of employment will be revoked. If actions taken during your employment result in the imposition of this fee, your employment will be terminated. To the extent that this statement conflicts with any applicable System or member Policy, Regulation, or Rule, this statement will control. We recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense regarding potential implications.

In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

Benefits and Leave

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance (AgriLife contributes to premiums)
• 12–15 annual paid holidays
• Up to 8 hours/month sick leave and at least 8 hours/month vacation
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative
• Access to ongoing professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs

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.