Research Technician I

Texas A&M University System; McGregor (TX); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation time

Wellness program

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Texas A&M Agrilife Research in McGregor, Texas, seeks a Research Technician I to provide entry-level technical support for research projects. The role involves hands-on animal care, basic husbandry, and assisting with field and facility maintenance.

The position is on-site in McGregor and requires reliable, team-focused work ethic. Responsibilities include implementing protocols, operating heavy equipment, and ensuring compliance with training requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Two years of related experience
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
• Ability to lift moderately heavy objects; work beyond normal hours and weekends

Responsibilities

• Implement management and research protocols including care of animals in a research setting (vaccinations, tagging, feeding, handling, treatment).
• Assist in pasture management including bushhogging and brush clearing.
• Operate heavy equipment (tractor, skid steer) for feeding hay and related tasks.
• Perform maintenance on equipment and facilities for optimal working conditions.
• Carry out other duties including infrastructure maintenance and repair (fences, plumbing, welding).
• Maintain training requirements for compliance.

Skills

Multi-tasking

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Animal handling

Tools

Tractor operation

Skid steer

Feed mixer wagon

Job description

Job Title

Research Technician I

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.

Click here to learn more about joining AgriLife!

Position Information

Job Summary: The Research Technician I, under general supervision performs entry level, semi-skilled, technical support research work involving performance of routine tasks.

Responsibilities:

• Implement management and research protocols to include care of animals on a day-to-day basis in a research setting. This includes (but is not limited to) vaccinations, tagging, moving, feeding, routine husbandry, animal handling, and treatment of sick animals.
• Helps implement management of pastures including bushhogging, brush clearing.
• Operate heavy equipment, such as tractor and skid steer for feeding hay, mixing feed, maintenance work, and operating a feed mixer wagon and/or feeding truck for feeding cattle.
• Performs maintenance duties such as cleaning and repair of equipment and facilities for optimal working conditions.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including (but not limited to) infrastructure maintenance and repair (fences, plumbing, welding).
• Maintains training requirements for compliance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of related experience.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to lift moderately heavy objects. Ability to exert heavy force. Work beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends.

What You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation is commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications. This is an hourly paid position.

Flexible Work Arrangements: This position is not eligible for remote work.

Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.

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

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.