Senior Research Associate

Senior Research Associate

Agency:
Texas A&M Agri Life Research

Department:
Temple

Minimum Salary:
Commensurate

Location:

Temple, Texas

Job Type: Staff

The Senior Research Associate will lead the acquisition, processing, and analysis of high-resolution agricultural data using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced sensing technologies. This role supports ongoing cotton research in two key areas: (1) high-throughput phenotyping to improve varietal performance under heat and water stress, and (2) in-season crop monitoring to inform and optimize management decisions.

• Collect multispectral and hyperspectral imagery using UAV for vegetation indices (NDVI, NDRE, etc.), chlorophyll, canopy structure, soil variability, and water stress analysis.
• Process raw imagery using photogrammetry and GIS software to generate orthomosaics and vegetation maps.
• Manage geospatial data and integrate UAV and other sensor-derived datasets with ground-based observations and crop models.
• Work with crop modelers and data scientists to integrate UAV-based analytics into precision agriculture workflows.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, or related field and four years of experience in agricultural remote sensing and UAV flight operations; or, a master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, or a related field and two years of experience in agricultural remote sensing and UAV flight operations.
• Proficiency with photogrammetry and GIS software (e.g., Pix4D, Agisoft Metashape, ArcGIS, QGIS).
• Strong data analysis skills using Python, R, or similar analytical tools.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Experience with multispectral and thermal imagery applications in crop monitoring.
• Knowledge of agricultural management practices, crop phenology, and environmental monitoring.

• Fieldwork under varying weather conditions.
• Travel to research sites or grower fields.
• Manual handling of moderate-weight UAV equipment (up to 25 lbs.).

Salary:
Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M Agri Life contributing to employee health and basic life premiums.
• 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.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M Agri Life.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.