Job Title Postdoctoral Research Associate Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Agriculture Education Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location College Station, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description Job Description: Texas A&M AgriLife Research seeks applicants for the position of postdoctoral scholar (social scientist) to join its vibrant and growing agricultural and life sciences communications team. The postdoctoral scholar will support the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative (TCSI), a five-year pilot project led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and funded by USDA NRCS. TCSI aims to foster climate-smart agricultural practices and create market opportunities for all major Texas agricultural commodities. Position duties focus on research activities including participant recruitment, data management, data analysis, and scientific writing for refereed journals and grants. The postdoctoral scholar will work as part of the science communications team to explore programs that build climate-smart solutions for Texas’ farms, grasslands, and forests. The science communications team uses a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods such as discourse analysis, interviews, mixed-methods textual analysis, surveys, and experiments to test message effects. Candidate should have experience with engaging rural/agricultural audiences in Texas and/or youth. The postdoctoral scholar will interface collaborators throughout Texas. The initial appointment is for one year with an opportunity for reappointment for an additional year based on performance. Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research are committed to enriching the learning and working environments for all visitors, students, faculty, and staff. Responsibilities: + Conduct in-depth qualitative data collection with Texas’ agricultural stakeholders, Extension agents, agricultural input suppliers, crop consultants, recycling facility representatives, and other stakeholders + Analyze quantitative and qualitative data + Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals + Prepare and deliver oral presentations to diverse audiences + Help oversee the activities of the Science Communications Team + Other duties as required Required Education: + PhD in the social sciences with emphases on communications, education, diffusion of innovations , or extension education (by anticipated start date) Preferred Experience: + Strong publication record + Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis + Experience with survey data analysis (including statistics) Required knowledge skills and abilities: + Ability o travel throughout Texas (project meetings and conferences) + Ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, Extension specialists, and other project participants + Excellent organizational and project management skills + Excellent written and oral communication skills + Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others. Preferred Qualifications: + Interest in agriculture, diffusion of innovations, environment, and/or sustainable agriculture + Theoretical background in science communications, agricultural communications, agricultural education, or extension + Skills in experimental and survey methods, text analysis + Experience conducting quantitative data analysis, including univariate and multivariate statistics, fieldwork, and outreach to agricultural audiences + Experience with SPSS, MAXQDA, Amos, LISREL, PLS, R, and/or similar programs + Familiarity with agricultural and natural resource contexts + Ability to multi-task and work with diverse and interdisciplinary teams To apply applicants must upload: + Please submit a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, copies of academic transcripts (submit as one PDF document), writing sample (e.g., journal article or dissertation chapter), and names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers for three professional references. Screening of application materials will begin on December 9, 2024. For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Holli Leggette (hollileggette@tamu.edu). Associate Professor and Science Communications Lab Director. Location: The primary position is based in Texas A&M University’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications Texas A&M University (TAMU) on the College Station campus. 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, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.