Research Scientist

Job Title
Research Scientist

Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department
Dallas

Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate

Job Location
Dallas, 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 Scientist will lead the conceptualization, development, implementation, and evaluation of research projects and studies, including oversight of operational procedures and project logistics. The Research Scientist will also lead the preparation of analysis reports, results sections for academic manuscripts, and dissemination products. Additional responsibilities include supporting and contributing to grant and funding proposal development, coordinating pre- and post-award management, and engaging in participant recruitment, community outreach, and communication.

Responsibilities:

40% - Research Project Leadership & Operations

• Lead conceptualization, development, implementation, and evaluation of research projects, including ongoing and new ancillary studies.

• Design and manage operational procedures for research projects, including IRB protocols, project logistics, and field work.

• Coordinate pre- and post-award management with internal and external investigators; manage grants and draft progress reports (e.g., NIH, USDA).

• Manage and oversee use of appropriate research methods, techniques, and tools; guide and train staff.

15% - Statistical & Data Management

• Provide support on advanced statistical research and modeling (e.g., regression, predictive modeling).

• Analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative data using established statistical methods (e.g., mixed models), data mining, data visualization, and data science management.

• Assist with documentation of statistical methods, analysis algorithms, and operational procedures; manage public datasets and develop/managing online tools (e.g., Qualtrics, REDCap) for project needs.

• Assist with data management, including cleaning, documentation, acquisition, merging, and security.

20% - Grant Development, Reporting & Dissemination

• Contribute to grant proposal and funding application development, including statistical plans, budgeting, and sample size calculations for diverse study designs.

• Prepare and present reports, manuscripts, scientific presentations, manuals, and other dissemination products; summarize and communicate findings in text, tables, and graphics.

• Develop and refine curricula and program materials for chronic disease prevention and health promotion.

15% - Community Engagement & Communication

• Lead study participant recruitment, data collection, and field work.

• Conduct literature reviews to inform study design, community-engaged interventions, and scientific publications.

• Evaluate and summarize study and program impacts/results.

10% - Other duties as assigned

• Perform additional responsibilities or tasks as required to support leadership and research operations.

Required Qualifications:
Required Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in related field (e.g., nutrition, public health, epidemiology) or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Six years of related experience, especially experience conducting human subjects research and working on research grants.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proficiency in statistical programming languages (e.g., R, SPSS, STATA, SAS), data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), and database applications.
• Demonstrated experience leading the preparation of research manuscripts and securing grant funding.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to effectively communicate with faculty and staff.
• Detail oriented and ability to organize tasks and prioritize work with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or Doctorate in Nursing (MSN, DNP, or equivalent), with current Texas APRN licensure and certification as a Nurse Practitioner.
• Advanced clinical assessment skills, including patient evaluation, management, and documentation in a research setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in Good Clinical Practice (GCP), IRB regulatory requirements, and ethical standards for research with human subjects.
• Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish) verbal and written strongly preferred
• Knowledge of advance statistical analysis, interactive data visualization, programming or similar software applications. Knowledge of use of data mining.
• Experience working with and accessing national data sets (e.g., NHANES, WHI, Framingham Heart Study, etc.).
• Experience developing valid, reliable composite scoring and screening instruments (e.g., Life's Simple 7; dietary screeners; etc.).
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or managing research staff and providing technical guidance and support to research staff on data management, analysis, and project execution.
• Knowledge and understanding of the mission and role of the Land Grant University System, including community-campus partnership and the Extension system.

Other Requirements:

• May require limited travel within Texas or to other research sites for study meetings, trainings, or participant visits.
• May require flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend hours, to accommodate study participant availability or project deadlines.

What You Need to Know

Salary:

Compensation is commensurate with the candidate's qualifications.

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

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How to Apply

Applications must include all job application data or a complete resume. Incomplete applications may be rejected. Applicants are encouraged to upload a resume or use LinkedIn to prepopulate application fields.

Required Documents:

• CV / Resume

• Cover Letter

• List of References

• Certifications / Additional Documentation (if applicable)

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.