Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University System
Job Title
Assistant Professor
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Lubbock
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
Lubbock, Texas
Job Type
Faculty
Job Description
General Description: Texas A&M AgriLife Research is seeking applications from candidates to lead and manage an ongoing cotton breeding and germplasm evaluation research program. This appointment will be 12 month, non-tenured, 100% Research, administratively located with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock, Texas. The academic appointment will be with the Soil and Crop Sciences Department in College Station, Texas. The incumbent is expected to lead a nationally prominent research program focused on regional needs related to cotton genetic resources in the largest cotton production area in the U. S. with diverse soil types, rain-fed and varying irrigation capabilities, and challenging environmental conditions.
Position Responsibilities: This position is expected to develop an independent cotton breeding and genetics research program while working collaboratively with faculty at the Lubbock Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center and other Centers across the state and on College Station campus. Position responsibilities include the following:
+ Develop improved cotton germplasm with attention to agronomic and fiber quality characteristics utilizing techniques and methods to breed for stress resistance (e.g., diseases, insect pests, salt, drought, and heat).
+ Identify opportunities to integrate novel molecular and phenotyping technologies into the breeding program.
+ Conduct germplasm screening to identify desirable traits and new sources of resistance from global accessions.
+ Maintain a critical and extensive cotton cultivar and strains testing program through cooperation with producers, Extension personnel, industry, and the USDA-ARS National Cotton Variety Testing Program.
+ Design, establish, and conduct field trials related to cotton breeding and genetics.
+ Analyze, interpret, and disseminate research findings in scientific peer-reviewed journal articles.
+ Compete aggressively for federal, state, commodity, and other competitive funding in research areas related to cotton breeding and genetics.
+ Train and develop graduate students in research areas related to cotton improvement.
+ Participate in interdisciplinary teams with faculty in Lubbock, College Station, and other parts of the Texas A&M University System, other Great Plains universities, and federal agencies such as USDA-ARS, as appropriate for planned programs.
+ Foster working relationships with agricultural industry and commodity organizations and participate in industry and professional associations.
+ Serve on unit, department, agency, university, and other professional committees as appropriate.
+ Participate in meetings and conduct research programs at local, state, and national levels.
Administrative Relationships: The position will be supervised directly by the Director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock, with evaluation and program reporting to the Soil and Crop Sciences Department Head.
Qualifications:
+ Ph.D. in plant breeding or related disciplines.
+ Experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing data from field-based, applied research.
+ Experience in securing external funding and producing high quality scholarly publications.
+ Commitment to interdisciplinary team-based research.
+ Interpersonal skills to establish effective working relationships with staff, faculty, administration, and external stakeholders.
+ Knowledge of experimental designs used in cultivar and strains testing.
Preferred Experience:
+ Experience and knowledge of traditional and novel methods used in breeding cotton.
+ Knowledge and ability to breed cotton for Texas Southern High Plains.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
+ Excellent English oral, written, and electronic communication skills.
+ Ability to work both independently and as a member of multidisciplinary teams.
+ Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and stakeholders.
+ Ability to multi-task and effectively manage support staff.
Facilities and Equipment Assigned to This Project Include: Greenhouse facility with 12 houses and 6 cold storage units, two-station ginning lab, offices, vehicles, farm machinery and implements, lab equipment, and storage space.
Location:
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Lubbock
Lubbock Center: The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock is in a semi-arid agricultural region with more than 6 million acres of dryland and irrigated crops. The Lubbock center has 356 acres, which includes office, lab, and greenhouse facilities. Additional farmland is located at Halfway, Lamesa, and Pecos for a total of 1800 acres.
Additional information about Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Lubbock and the Texas A&M University Department of Soil and Crop Sciences can be found at:
Texas A&M AgriLife Research: https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu/
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/about/who-we-are/
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock: https://lubbock.tamu.edu
Texas A&M University Department of Soil and Crop Sciences: https://soilcrop.tamu.edu/
Closing date for applications: Applications will be reviewed beginning May 1, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Date position is available: September 1, 2024.
+ Submit cover letter
+ CV
+ academic transcripts (unofficial)
+ statement of research interest
+ names and contact information for three references
For more information, please contact: Dr. Wenwei Xu, email wxu@ag.tamu.edu.
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/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.
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