Assistant Professor - Forestry

Job Overview

Assistant Professor – Forest Ecology and Modeling Research (12‑month, non‑tenure track) at Texas

A&M Agri Life Research. The position is fully research‑based, administratively located at the Blackland Research and Extension Center in Temple, Texas, and academically affiliated with the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas

A&M University in College Station,TX. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized, externally funded, collaborative, and self‑sustaining research program focused on the sustainability, health, productivity, and marketability of forested landscapes in Texas and beyond.

• Establish and lead a nationally recognized, externally funded, and self‑sustaining research program focused on forest sustainability, health, productivity, and marketability.
• Conduct fundamental and applied research on the impacts of forest land use, management practices, and climate change on forest ecosystem health and sustainability.
• Develop, refine, and apply simulation models, algorithms, and geospatial analyses to realistically simulate forest ecosystem dynamics under varying conditions of land use change, climate variability, and other environmental stressors.
• 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.
• Secure extramural funding, train graduate students, and disseminate findings through peer‑reviewed journals, technical reports, and stakeholder outreach.
• 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.
• Direct the work of support staff, technical personnel, and graduate students assigned to the project and perform other duties as assigned.

• Ph.D. in an area of forest science or a closely related field by hire date (or evidence of a strong academic background in a closely aligned field).
• Strong knowledge of forest ecology and related fields, with research experience in forest modeling, biometrics, and geospatial analysis.
• Evidence of, or the ability to produce, peer‑reviewed publications of original research.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong team‑building, collaboration, project management, and organizational abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships and work cooperatively with others.
• Knowledge and understanding of the mission and role of the Land Grant University System.

• Prior academic, post‑doctoral, or professional experience.
• Experience working with federal agencies or in 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.

Stationed at Texas

A&M Agri Life Blackland Research and Extension Center in Temple, Texas. The candidate will collaborate with USDA‑ARS scientists, USDA‑NRCS, and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board staff, as well as with Texas

A&M University faculty and other Agri Life units.

Salary commensurate with qualifications. Benefits include health, dental, vision, life and long‑term disability insurance; 12‑15 days of annual paid holidays; up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month; and automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

Applicants should upload a cover letter (two‑page limit), curriculum vitae, a list of three references with contact information, and a vision statement of research and service (two‑page limit). The application screening process will begin on October1,2025, and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.