Conservation Pilot Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

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Job Description

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Social Scientist)

Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeks applicants for the position of postdoctoral scholar (social scientist) to join its vibrant and growing agricultural and life sciences communications team. The postdoctoral scholar will support the Texas Conservation and Sustainability Initiative (TCSI), a five-year pilot project led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and funded by USDA NRCS. TCSI aims to foster conservation practices and create market opportunities for all major Texas agricultural commodities. Position duties focus on research activities including participant recruitment, data management, data analysis, and scientific writing for refereed journals and grants. The postdoctoral scholar will work as part of the science communications team to explore programs that build conservation and sustainability solutions for Texas' farms, grasslands, and forests. The science communications team uses a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods such as discourse analysis, interviews, mixed-methods textual analysis, surveys, and experiments to test message effects. Applicants should have experience with engaging rural/agricultural audiences in Texas and/or youth. The postdoctoral scholar will interface collaborators throughout Texas. The initial appointment is for one year with an opportunity for reappointment for an additional nine months based on performance. Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research are committed to enriching the learning and working environments for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative data collection with Texas' agricultural stakeholders, Extension agents, agricultural input suppliers, crop consultants, recycling facility representatives, consumers and other public stakeholders

• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data

• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals

• Prepare and deliver oral presentations to diverse audiences

• Help oversee the activities of the Science Communications Team

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in the social sciences with emphases on communications, education, diffusion of innovations, or extension education (by anticipated start date)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Theoretical background in science communications, agricultural communications, agricultural education, or extension.

• Skills in experimental and survey methods, text analysis.

• Experience conducting quantitative data analysis, including univariate and multivariate statistics, fieldwork, and outreach to agricultural audiences.

• Experience with SPSS, MAXQDA, Amos, LISREL, PLS, R, and/or similar programs.

• Familiarity with agricultural and natural resource contexts.

• Ability to multi-task and work with diverse and interdisciplinary teams.

• Strong publication record.

• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

• Experience with quantitative survey data analysis.

• Willingness to travel throughout Texas (project meetings and conferences).

• Ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, Extension specialists, and other project participants.

• Interest in agriculture, diffusion of innovations, environment, and/or sustainable agriculture.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent organization and project management skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

The initial appointment is for one year with an opportunity for reappointment for an additional nine months based on performance. Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research are committed to enriching the learning and working environments for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff.

Location: The primary position is based in Texas A&M University's Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications Texas A&M University (TAMU) on the College Station campus.

Applicant Instructions:

• A cover letter summarizing their interest in and qualifications for the position;

• A current Curriculum Vitae that includes research activity and service to the profession;

• Names and contact information for three professional references.

• The position will be open until filled. The process of reviewing applications will begin July 1. If you have questions about the position, please contact Dr. Holli R Leggette (hollileggette@tamu.edu). The selected candidate is expected to begin October 1, 2026, or as negotiated.

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.