Assistant Professor

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 [email protected] .

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.