Lead CEA Research Specialist

Job Title
Lead CEA Research Specialist

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 Agri Life

Texas A&M Agri Life is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M Agri Life Extension Service
• Texas A&M Agri Life 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 Agri Life 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 Agri Life is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of Agri Life and make a difference in the world!

Position Information

The Lead CEA Research Specialist will oversee and manage aspects of crop production research in controlled environments (greenhouse, growth rooms/chambers, growtainers) with the goal of maximizing yields and quality. This role involves building a collaborative relationship with our plant science program faculty and staff, including but not limited to, CEA (controlled environment agriculture) turfgrass science, and horticulture programs as well as external service/vendor providers.

Additionally, this position will provide expertise and technical support to the Center's facilities and operations, supervise personnel, and lead various projects to ensure the success of our research initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Greenhouse Control Systems: Operate and make programing changes to greenhouse control systems including:
  Hoogendoorn IIVO, Heliospectra HelioCORE, Microgrow Pro Comm II and JCI Metasys.
• Low-Voltage Controls: Troubleshoot, diagnose and repair low-voltage control panels, systems and equipment. (i.e., logic controllers, actuators, valves, motors, relays, etc.)
• Greenhouse Irrigation design and Installation: Design and install simple to complex irrigation systems and nutrient injectors.
• Hydroponic Systems: Operate simple to complex hydroponic systems, including rockwool, emitter and NFT. Mix nutrients, calibrate/adjust nutrient injectors, and monitor EC, pH and TDS and adjust accordingly.
• HVAC: Operate, troubleshoot and diagnose common HVAC equipment and cold and hot water loops.
• IPM: Implement the principles of Integrated Pest Management within controlled environments.
• Lead and Supervise Team: Oversee a team of CEA facilities coordinators, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance evaluations.
• Training and Development: Develop and conduct training programs for new and existing team members on best practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Resource Allocation: Assign tasks and projects to team members based on their skills and project requirements.
• Environmental Monitoring: Monitor and ensure all environmental growing conditions (temperature, humidity, moisture, light, VPD) are at standard quality levels.
• Procedural Planning: Plan, coordinate, and execute procedures that align with research program needs and objectives.
• SOP Management: Establish, monitor, and update SOPs for CEA activities to maintain high standards of operation.
• IBC Compliance: Compliance and adherence to Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) requirements related to the maintenance of plants modified using recombinant DNA.
• Work Environment Maintenance: Maintain a clean and safe work environment for crops and employees.
• Inventory Management: Maintain inventory and coordinate with research program leads to purchase growing supplies such as fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides.
• Sanitation & Maintenance: Ensure timely sanitation and maintenance of greenhouse facilities.
• Climatic and Operational Management: Predict and manage unexpected climatic and operational events.
• Issue Analysis: Analyze simple to complex greenhouse issues and develop effective solutions.
• Updates and Reporting: Provi…