Assistant Professor (Water and Plant Stress Physiology)

Location: Lubbock, Texas, United States. Onsite position at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock.

Company

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is part of the Texas A&M University System and conducts agriculture and life sciences research, education, extension, and service across Texas.

What you will do

• Lead a 75% research program focused on crop responses to abiotic stress, water quality, salinity, and saline irrigation.
• Develop cropping systems using brackish, produced, and other non-conventional water resources in semi-arid and arid regions.
• Design and conduct field and laboratory experiments on salinity mitigation, alternative water use, and adaptive crop management.
• Build interdisciplinary collaborations with AgriLife centers, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, USDA-ARS, and other agencies.
• Secure competitive funding and disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications, extension articles, and stakeholder engagement.
• Deliver a 25% extension program supporting county agents, producers, water managers, commodity groups, and other agricultural stakeholders.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Crop Science, Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated field-based research experience involving water quality, salinity, or water-use efficiency.
• Evidence of publishing in high-quality journals and securing competitive research funding.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder-driven research.
• Strong oral, written, interpersonal, and communication skills for working with academic, industry, agency, and agricultural partners.
• Ability to work onsite in Lubbock, Texas and participate in field, laboratory, extension, and committee activities.

Nice to have

• Academic, post-doctoral, or professional experience in a related discipline.
• Experience working with federal agencies or in multi-agency collaborations.
• Stakeholder outreach, grant writing, and evidence of attracting external funding.

Culture & Benefits

• 12-month, non-tenure-track appointment with a 75% research and 25% extension allocation.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration across research centers, universities, government agencies, producers, and industry.
• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid holidays, monthly vacation and sick leave, and participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
• Employee wellness initiative and access to research facilities, laboratories, greenhouses, and cropland.

Hiring process

• Submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research interests statement of up to two pages, and contact information for three references online.
• Applications are reviewed beginning July 13, 2026, and the position remains open until filled.
• Employment is contingent on credential verification and completion of a criminal history investigation.