Research Scientist

Company: Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Location: College Station
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Job Title Research Scientist Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Texas Water Resource Institute Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location College Station, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description About Texas A&M AgriLife Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service. Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world! Position Information Job Description Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) is seeking applications for a Research Scientist to serve as a Product Positioning/Competitive Intelligence Manager position with a strong focus on water treatment technologies and plant physiology, emphasizing M3T water systems and sustainable water reuse. We’re seeking a strategic and analytical professional to define how M3T products stand out in a competitive marketplace. The Product Positioning & Competitive Intelligence Manager will be responsible for developing compelling product positioning, analyzing competitive dynamics, and delivering actionable insights that inform go-to-market strategy, sales enablement, and product development. The successful candidate will develop and lead a research and educational program that addresses critical regional and global challenges related to agricultural water scarcity, quality, and reuse through the application of advanced biological and engineered water technologies. Core research areas will include the development, optimization, and agricultural application of M3T treatment technologies and soil-water-plant interactions under traditional and alternative water sources for resilient crop production. The incumbent is expected to develop a nationally recognized, technology-driven research and extension program focused on the design, evaluation, and implementation of M3T and other water treatment systems for agricultural, industrial, and environmental applications. Responsibilities: Lead research on M3T and other biological or hybrid water treatment technologies, emphasizing their performance, optimization, and integration into agricultural and environmental systems. Develop, evaluate and validate cropping systems and irrigation strategies that utilize M3T-treated, reclaimed, or non-traditional water sources, focusing on water quality impacts, soil health, and plant response. Advance understanding of microbial processes, nutrient dynamics, and contaminant removal mechanisms in M3T and related systems. Design laboratory, greenhouse, and field-scale experiments evaluating the efficacy, scalability, and sustainability of M3T technology. Utilize the latest high throughput plant phenotyping technologies and GIS systems to quantify and characterize the effects of M3T technology on soil-water-plant interactions. Explore the physiological changes induced by the application of M3T to determine the effectiveness of the new technology on plant emergence, vigor, health, and yield. Collaborate with engineers, soil and plant scientists, microbiologists, and environmental scientists across AgriLife Research Centers, Texas A&M campuses, and federal agencies (e.g., USDA-ARS, EPA) to develop interdisciplinary research and technology-transfer programs. Disseminate research findings through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, technical reports, and stakeholder workshops. Support Extension and outreach programs that communicate the benefits and management considerations of M3T water use for irrigation and environmental sustainability. Engage with water utilities, agricultural producers, and technology developers with research-based recommendations on product use and rate to facilitate the adoption of treatment technologies in practical settings. Participate actively in professional organizations. Administrative Relationships The position is supervised by the Director of the Texas Water Resources Institute. Programmatic reporting and alignment with statewide and national water technology initiatives will be coordinated by the Director’s office. Required Qualifications: Ph.D. in Agronomy, Environmental Science, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Soil and Crop Sciences, Microbial Ecology, or a closely related discipline. Six years of related experience Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Demonstrated experience in technology development, applied research, product development or water systems. Strong experience coordinating, developing, and executing field-based research experiments at multiple locations simultaneously. Proven ability to publish in high-impact journals. Strong record of interdisciplinary research and collaboration across environmental, engineering, and agricultural domains. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effective engagement with academic, industry, and government partners. Position Funding: This position is a 36-month grant funded position supported by the Texas Water Resources Institute and availability is contingent on grant funding. Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife? When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents. In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following: Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife 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 AgriLife Applicant Instructions Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application. Required Documents CV/ Resume Cover letter List of references Certifications/ additional documentation 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/Veterans/Disability Employer.

Keywords: Texas A&M Agrilife Research, Sugar Land , Research Scientist, Science, Research & Development , College Station, Texas