Assistant Professor - Forestry

Assistant Professor – Forestry

Agency: Texas A&M Agri Life Research

Department: Temple

Job Type: Faculty (non-tenure track, 12‑month)

Job Location: Temple, Texas

Position Summary: The Texas A&M Agri Life Research seeks an Assistant Professor in Forest Ecology and Modeling Research, a 12‑month, non‑tenure track faculty appointment. The candidate will develop a nationally recognized, externally funded research program that is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and self‑sustaining, focusing on the sustainability, health, productivity, and marketability of forested landscapes in Texas and beyond.

• Establish and lead a nationally recognized, externally funded, self‑sustaining research program focused on forested landscapes.
• Conduct research addressing critical forest resource issues, including:
  • Forest ecosystem health and sustainability.
  • Forest management systems for forage, livestock, and wildlife.
  • Strategies to protect forested landscapes from invasive species, wildfire, pests, extreme weather, and other destructive agents.
  • Watershed management and water quality.
  • Forest management for recreational purposes.
  • Utilization of non‑traditional forest products.
• Assess each research initiative’s 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; develop and improve simulation models; secure extramural funding.
• Train graduate students and disseminate findings through peer‑reviewed journals, technical reports, and stakeholder engagement.
• Engage with forest industry professionals, community service providers, and entrepreneurs; participate in outreach activities.
• Collaborate with Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Forestry Association, county extension agents, statewide faculty, and other forestry professionals.
• Contribute to programming efforts that yield measurable impacts on the economic and ecological viability of forested landscapes across the region.
• Direct the work of support staff, technical personnel, and graduate students assigned to the project.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Reports directly to the Center Director, Texas A&M Agri Life 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.

• Ph.D. in forest science or a closely related field by hire date (or equivalent with strong research program focused on forestry applications).
• Strong knowledge of forest ecology and related fields.
• Research experience in forest modeling, biometrics, and geospatial analysis.
• Evidence of peer‑reviewed publications of original research.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
• Excellence in verbal and written communication.
• Team‑building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.
• Highly organized; ability to multi‑task and work cooperatively.
• Professional demeanor; ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Knowledge 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 enhancing graduate student success.
• Modest outreach experience with stakeholder interaction.
• Grant writing experience and evidence of attracting external funding.

The appointment is affiliated with the Texas A&M University Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology and stationed at the Texas A&M Agri Life Blackland Research and Extension Center in Temple. The candidate will collaborate with the Texas A&M Forest Service, Blackland faculty, USDA‑ARS scientists, USDA‑NRCS, and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board staff.

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.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Employee Wellness Initiative.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

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.