Assistant Professor - Forestry (Forest Ecology and Modeling)

Location: Temple, Texas, United States; stationed at the Blackland Research and Extension Center, with academic affiliation in College Station, Texas.

Company

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is a Texas A&M University System research agency focused on agriculture, life sciences, natural resources, and applied research.

What you will do

• Establish and lead an externally funded research program focused on the sustainability, health, productivity, and marketability of forested landscapes.
• Conduct fundamental and applied research on forest land use, management practices, climate change, ecosystem health, soil, water, and other natural resources.
• Develop and improve algorithms, simulation models, and tools for forest ecosystem dynamics under changing environmental conditions.
• Collect, analyze, and organize data; publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports.
• Collaborate with AgriLife units, the Texas A&M Forest Service, government agencies, industry, and nonprofit organizations.
• Train graduate students, direct support personnel, and disseminate research through stakeholder outreach.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in forest science or a closely related field by the hire date.
• Strong knowledge of forest ecology and related fields.
• Research experience in forest modeling, including biometrics and geospatial analysis.
• Evidence of, or ability to produce, peer-reviewed publications of original research.
• Valid driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
• Strong communication, collaboration, organization, project management, and teamwork skills.

Nice to have

• Academic, postdoctoral, or professional experience.
• Experience with federal agencies or multi-agency collaborations.
• Teaching and stakeholder outreach experience.
• Grant-writing experience and a record of attracting external funding.

Culture & Benefits

• 12-month, 100% research, non-tenure-track faculty appointment.
• Collaboration with interdisciplinary researchers across Texas, the United States, and international networks.
• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and access to an employee wellness initiative.

Hiring process

• Submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae with three references, and a two-page research and service vision statement.
• Screening begins October 1, 2025, and the position remains open until a suitable candidate is identified.
• Employment is contingent on credential verification and completion of a criminal history check.