Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title Postdoctoral Research Associate

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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 highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the development of competitive research funding proposals and the dissemination of scientific findings through peer-reviewed publications. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty investigators, staff, and external partners to develop grant narratives, coordinate proposal submissions, and lead the preparation of research manuscripts. This position will play a critical role in translating complex agricultural science concepts into compelling written products for diverse audiences, including funding agencies, academic journals, and stakeholders. The postdoctoral researcher will also contribute to interdisciplinary projects focused on agricultural literacy, agricultural emergency preparedness, Extension outreach, and related areas.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and write competitive grant proposals, including project narratives, literature reviews, research plans, and supporting documents for federal, state, and private funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and stakeholders to identify funding opportunities and align proposals with program priorities and strategic objectives.
• Lead and support the preparation, writing, editing, and submission of manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize data to support proposal development and publication efforts.
• Assist with research design, data interpretation, and the communication of research findings.
• Facilitate collaboration among multidisciplinary teams and contribute to research partnerships.
• Prepare technical reports, white papers, presentations, and other outreach materials as needed.
• Participate in lab activities, meetings, and strategic planning initiatives.

Required Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in agricultural leadership, education, or communications; agricultural sciences; environmental sciences; natural resources; public policy; or a related field.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience developing successful proposals for federal agencies, such as USDA, NSF, NIH, FEMA, or related funding organizations.
• Strong record of scholarly achievement, including first-author or lead-author on peer-reviewed publications and experience conducting research in agricultural literacy, agricultural emergency preparedness, agricultural or food systems, or related fields.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary and multi-institutional research projects, with familiarity in academic research administration, grant management, and proposal submission processes.
• Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with external stakeholders, industry partners, community organizations, and other research collaborators to advance research and outreach objectives.
• Proficiency in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging digital tools to support research output while maintaining accuracy, ethics, and research integrity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience in scientific writing, including peer-reviewed publications and/or funding proposals.
• Strong communication and analytical skills, including the ability to conduct literature reviews and communicate technical information to diverse audiences.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of interdisciplinary research teams while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Advanced scientific and technical writing skills with the ability to develop clear, persuasive, and audience-specific narratives.
• Knowledge of grant development processes, funding mechanisms, and sponsor requirements.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating professionalism, research integrity, and strong interpersonal skills.

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.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• CV
• List of three contacts to serve as references, including names, emails, and phone numbers.

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.