Description

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is seeking an outstanding, innovative, and dynamic individual to fill a 12-month, non-tenure track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Forest Ecology and Modeling Research. This 100% research appointment will be administratively based at the Blackland Research and Extension Center in Temple, Texas, with academic affiliation in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, and collaborative ties to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally recognized, externally funded research program that is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and self-sustaining. The program should address critical challenges related to the sustainability, health, productivity, and marketability of forested landscapes in Texas and beyond. The position will offer opportunities to work closely with faculty and researchers across the Texas A&M University System, including AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension, and the Texas A&M Forest Service. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to applied forest science in a region facing significant ecological and economic shifts, and to support the development of resilient forest landscapes through cutting-edge research in forest ecology and modeling.

Forests in Texas are abundant, diverse, and ecologically significant, covering approximately 35% of the state’s land area. According to the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, Texas contains an estimated 60 million acres of forestland, with nearly 48 million acres of non-commercial forests located in central and west Texas. Most of these forestlands, approximately 93%, are privately owned, with the remainder managed by state agencies, national forests, and other public entities.

Texas forests play a critical role in supporting the environmental, economic, and social well-being of communities across the state, while also contributing to broader national and global ecological functions. However, forests in central and west Texas face a unique set of management challenges, including climate variability, parcelization, invasive species, and limited commercial markets. Given their importance and vulnerability, it is essential to advance our scientific understanding of these forest systems to guide sound management decisions that enhance forest health, promote sustainable stewardship, and conserve vital soil, water, and wildlife resources across the state.

The successful candidate will be responsible for planning, implementing, and conducting fundamental and applied research focused on the impacts of forest land use, management practices, and climate change on forest ecosystem health and sustainability. This research will also explore how these factors influence soil, water, and other natural resources. Responsibilities include the collection, analysis, and organization of data, as well as the development and application of algorithms and models to realistically simulate forest ecosystem dynamics under varying conditions of land use change, forest and land management, climate variability, and other environmental stressors.

 Position Responsibilities:

• Establish and lead a nationally recognized, externally funded, and self-sustaining research program focused on the sustainability, health, productivity, and marketability of forested landscapes.
• Conduct research addressing critical forest resource issues, including:

1.      Forest ecosystem health and sustainability

2.      Forest management systems to produce forage for domestic livestock and wildlife

3.      Innovative strategies to protect forested landscapes from invasive species, wildfire, pests, extreme weather events, and other destructive agents

4.      Watershed management and water quality in forested areas

5.      Forest management for recreational purposes

6.      Utilization of non-traditional forest products

• Each research initiative will be designed to assess its impact on environmental sustainability, including atmospheric emissions and soil health metrics.
• Leverage and contribute to data, models, and algorithms sourced from government, academic, and industry partners, including collaboration with other Blackland/Grassland research teams and their national and international networks. The candidate is expected to develop and improve simulation models, secure extramural funding, train graduate students, and actively disseminate findings.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports and share models and tools with relevant stakeholders, land managers, and the broader scientific community.
• Engage with forest industry professionals, community service providers, and entrepreneurs, and participate in outreach activities to ensure research relevance and applicability to stakeholders.
•  Collaborate with the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Forestry Association, county Extension agents, statewide faculty, and other forestry professionals to support applied research and outreach that addresses regional needs.
•  Contribute to programming efforts that yield tangible, measurable impacts on the economic and ecological viability of forested landscapes across the region.

Administrative Relationships:

• Reports directly to the Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research-Blackland, with guidance from the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University, College Station, and Texas A&M Forest Service. 
• Directs the work of support staff, and other technical personnel and graduate students assigned to the project.

Requirements

Required job qualifications:

• Ph.D. in an area of forest science or a closely related field by hire date. Candidates with a degree in a closely aligned field must demonstrate a strong academic background or research program explicitly focused on forestry applications.
• Strong knowledge of forest ecology and related fields of study.
• Research experience in forest modeling, including expertise in biometrics and geospatial analysis.
• Evidence of, or the ability to produce, peer-reviewed publications of original research.
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.

 Preferred job qualifications:

•  Prior academic, post-doctoral, or professional experience.
•  Experience working with federal agencies or in other multi-agency collaborative settings.
•  Modest teaching experience that will enhance graduate student success.
•  Modest outreach experience with stakeholder interaction.
•  Grant writing experience and evidence of the ability to attract external funding.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•   Excellence in verbal and written communication.
•   Team-building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.
•   Strong communication skills. 
•   Highly organized.
•   Professional demeanor.
•   Ability to multi-task and establish effective working relationships.
•   Knowledge and understanding of the mission and role of the Land Grant University System.

Application Procedure:  

Applications will only be accepted online at https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/System-wide_External/job/Temple-TX/Assistant-Professor---Forestry_R-086134

 Applicants must upload a

•         Cover letter (two-page limit)
•         Curriculum vitae, including a list of three references and their contact information
•         Vision statement of research and service (two-page limit).

 The application screening process will begin on October 1, 2025, and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.