Assistant Professor

Assistant Professor

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is seeking applications for an Assistant Professor position with a strong focus on water and plant stress physiology, with an emphasis on salinity management and utilization of alternative water resources. The successful candidate will lead a research program that addresses critical regional and global challenges related to crop productivity under water-limited and saline conditions.

This is a 12-month, non-tenure track, 75% research and 25% extension appointment partially supported by the Texas Water Resources Institute and administratively located at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock, Texas, with an academic affiliation in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station.

Responsibilities:

• Lead research on crop responses to abiotic stress, with an emphasis on water quality and salinity, including soil-water-plant interactions under saline irrigation.
• Develop and optimize cropping systems that utilize brackish, produced, and other non-conventional water sources, particularly in semi-arid and arid regions.
• Advance the understanding of salinity tolerance mechanisms and stress physiology in key regional crops.
• Design and conduct field and laboratory experiments on alternative water use, salinity mitigation techniques, and adaptive crop management strategies.
• Collaborate with scientists located at the Lubbock center and assist in establishing interdisciplinary teams across AgriLife Research centers, other Texas A&M University System campuses, Texas Tech University and with federal agencies such as USDA-ARS to address shared research goals.
• Seek and secure competitive research funding from federal, state, commodity, and industry sources in areas related to saline water use and abiotic stresses.
• Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, Extension articles, and stakeholder engagement. Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Support and communicate with county Extension programs in the area of saline water use for irrigation.
• Engage and communicate with agricultural producers, water managers, and commodity groups to translate research into practical solutions
• Participate in professional organizations and serve on departmental, agency, and university committees.

Extension (25%)

• Support the Extension Network by cooperating with and complementing programs that involve District-based County Extension Agents, Regional Program Leaders, and other Specialists.
• Develop research driven Extension programming targeting clientele in the Texas Panhandle.
• Provide training and technical assistance to County Extension Agents along with subject matter expertise.
• Support to the County Extension network and contribute to the region's scientific community through service on standing and ad hoc committees and working groups and commodity association technical support.
• Through active collaboration with allied Extension specialists, support the development and delivery of Extension programs and outreach activities that promote the adoption of innovative alternative water resources management practices in the High Plains and other water-limited regions.
• Work with agricultural producers, industry stakeholders, and extension personnel to translate research into practical applications.

Administrative Relationships:

The position is supervised by the Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock. Programmatic reporting and alignment with water-focused initiatives will be coordinated by the Director of the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI). The Extension portion of this position will be supervised by the Associate Director for Extension in coordination with TWRI.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Crop Science, Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in field-based research related to water quality, salinity, or water-use efficiency.
• Proven ability to publish in high-quality journals and secure competitive research funding.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder-driven research.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective interaction with academic, industry, and agency partners.

Location and Facilities:

Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1102 East Drew Street, Lubbock, TX 79403.

The Lubbock Center serves the region and its communities through scientific research and public outreach through Extension education programs. Faculty members at the Lubbock Center collaborate with colleagues at Texas A&M University at College Station, Texas Tech University, and other AgriLife Research and Extension Centers across the state. Research and Extension programs at the Lubbock Center seek to strengthen agricultural production and sustainability in the semi-arid southern High Plains.

The Lubbock Center's facilities include 132,600 square feet of offices (50), laboratories (10), a classroom, and an auditorium; greenhouses (14 units), workshops, storerooms, sheds, and ancillary buildings; and 300 acres of cropland for research. The Lubbock Center also operates and maintains 690 acres of research at Halfway (Hale County); and 220 acres in Lamesa (AG-CARES; Dawson County).

Application Procedure:

Applications will only be accepted online at Applicants must upload:

• A cover letter describing the applicant's research vision, qualifications, and fit for the position as described herein.
• A curriculum vitae (CV).
• A statement of research interests (maximum 2 pages).
• Contact information for three references.

Applications will be reviewed beginning July 13, 2026. Position will remain open until the position is filled. Suggested start date, Sept 1, 2026

Questions: Address inquiries to Search Committee Chair: Dr. Maria Sanchez Flores, Texas A&M AgriLife Research TWRI, or Dr. Katie Lewis, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Lubbock.

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

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:

• 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 leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher 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.