Research Associate

Job Title
Research Associate
Agency
Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Department
Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management
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 joining AgriLife!
Position Information
Job Summary:
The Texas A&M Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management is seeking a Research Associate with a strong work ethic to assist in executing projects related to exclusion fencing and mitigation of wild pig damage. This position will be responsible for working directly with landowners, managers, biologists, ranchers, and a wide range of constituents. The position will also be responsible for all field related work such as identifying study sites, collecting baseline data, setting, filling and maintaining corn feeders, building small exclusion fences and plots, monitoring animal activity with remotely triggered cameras, reviewing and assimilating data from pictures and video, data entry, and report writing. This position may also work with other project collaborators to design and implement wild pig exclusion methods in livestock operations to prevent damage, use of feed and water, and access to sensitive areas, which also may include use of farm equipment, implements, ATVs, UTVs, and similar to remediate damage from wild pigs. This position will involve frequent communication with landowners and coordination with project partners, so effective communication skills are required. Travel will be required to multiple study locations across Texas.
Texas A&M University’s Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management (CGRM) aims to safeguard the ecologic and economic resiliency of grazingland resources and ranching operations with a focus on producer-directed, applied grazingland and ranch management research, outreach, and industry engagement. CGRM develops and supports interdisciplinary collaborations to address critical needs in the ranching community and strives to achieve three overarching goals: enhance operational resiliency, strengthen enterprise sustainability, and foster the future of the industry. search and wild pig management activities across Texas, including data collection, monitoring, stakeholder coordination, and project support. This position works closely with landowners and project partners to implement and evaluate research and damage mitigation efforts. The work is intellectual and varied, requiring consistent discretion and judgment in planning, conducting, evaluating, and supporting research and management activities.
Responsibilities:
Responsible for working directly with landowners, managers, biologists, ranchers, and a wide range of constituents.
Responsible for all field related work such as identifying study sites, collecting baseline data, setting, filling and maintaining corn feeders, building small exclusion fences and plots, monitoring animal activity with remotely triggered cameras, reviewing and assimilating data from pictures and video, data entry, and report writing.
May work with other project collaborators to design and implement wild pig exclusion methods in livestock operations to prevent damage, use of feed and water, and access to sensitive areas, which also may include use of farm equipment, implements, ATVs, UTVs, and similar to remediate damage from wild pigs.
Frequent communication with landowners and coordination with project partners, so effective communication skills are required.
Travel to multiple study locations across Texas.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
Two years of related professional experience.
Strong work ethic and self-motivated
Ability to work in a remote location, sometimes under adverse conditions (hot, humid, biting/stinging insects), on working ranches with livestock operations
Ability to work independently and as a team with minimum supervision and be capable of planning an effective work day
Ability to analyze data and write reports
Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently (verbal and written);
Detail oriented
Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others
Ability to learn new skills and techniques
Preferred Qualifications:
M.S. degree in rangeland management, natural resource management or closely related field; GPA of ≥3.0; more than two years of experience
Experience or working knowledge of ranching, wildlife, and rangeland management practices
Experience working directly with producers
Experience building various fence designs
Experience using 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATVs/UTVs, farm machinery/tractors, and ability to tow trailers
Knowledge or experience planning, coordinating, and conducting field activities
Technical writing skills
Other Requirements:
This position is funded through grants or contracts. Continued employment is dependent upon ongoing funding and satisfactory job performance.
What You Need to Know
Salary: Compensation is commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications.
Position Funding: This position is funded through grants or contracts. Continued employment is dependent upon ongoing funding and satisfactory job performance.
Important Notice Regarding H1-B Sponsorship:
Your employment at Texas A&M AgriLife may require nonimmigrant sponsorship. A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Texas A&M AgriLife will NOT pay this fee. If the fee is imposed on your petition, this offer of employment will be revoked. If actions taken during your employment result in the imposition of this fee, your employment will be terminated. To the extent that this statement conflicts with any applicable System or member Policy, Regulation, or Rule, this statement will control. We recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense regarding potential implications.
In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbott issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.
Benefits and Leave:
Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance (AgriLife contributes to premiums)
12–15 annual paid holidays
Up to 8 hours/month sick leave and at least 8 hours/month vacation
Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement Sy