Research Specialist I

Job Title Research Specialist I

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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 how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

We are seeking a Research Specialist I, under general supervision, is involved in agricultural policy research involving AFPC’s network of representative farms and the AFPC farm level simulation model. This position will collect necessary data through both primary and secondary sources. Data manipulation and analysis using a variety of modeling tools and techniques will be a key responsibility along with conveying results in a clear and concise manner through written and verbal communication via outlets including, but not limited to, working and briefing paper publications, scholarly articles, and presentations. Work is performed under general supervision with evaluation based on the successful completion of tasks assigned.

Responsibilities:

• Attend in-person agricultural focus group meetings to collect primary data necessary to develop and maintain AFPC representative crop, livestock, and specialty crop farms.
• Process farm-level data and conduct whole-farm simulation model analyses for AFPC clientele including House and Senate Agriculture Committee staff and other stakeholders.
• Performs and reviews simulation modeling using FarmESP, AFPC’s Python-based farm level simulation model.
• Assist AFPC faculty and research staff in developing scientific publications and presentations necessary to communicate study results.
• Conduct decision aid analyses for a nationwide network of existing and future clients/users.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Four years of related experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master of Science in Agricultural Economics.
• Experience collecting primary data from agricultural producers and other clientele through interviews utilizing a modified Delphi approach.
• Experience entering data in a farm visit editor for the FarmESP farm-level simulation model.
• Data entry and analysis involving row crop, cow-calf, dairy, and/or cattle feeding operations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of a variety of types of commercial agricultural operations.
• Professional writing with an emphasis in livestock and agricultural policy.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build a strong rapport with an array of clientele.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to attend meetings in person throughout major agricultural production regions across the entire United States as needed.
• Work beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends when timeliness of project completion is imperative for end users and other stakeholders.

What You Need to Know

Position will be 75% effort.

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 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

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

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.