Research Scientist on Urban Water Sustainability

Job Title: Research Scientist

Agency: Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department: Texas Water Resource Institute

Proposed Minimum Salary: Commensurate

Job Location: Dallas, Texas

Job Type: Staff

Job Description

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas Water Resources Institute is seeking a Research Scientist to be located at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Dallas. This position will develop research outcomes to address community needs related to aspects of urban water sustainability, including, but not limited to, themes such as blue-green infrastructure, urban water equity, water conservation and reuse, hydrological services, and urban water data science.  The successful candidate will have a PhD Degree in a field relating to urban environments and sustainability with particular emphasis on science education research including the development of science learning outcomes, community and citizen science, place-based learning, and geographic information systems. We seek to hire a candidate who will support the University’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA). We also seek to hire a team player who will promote collaboration and cooperation while working within the Urban Water Innovation and Sustainability Hub (‘Urban WISH’) interdisciplinary group at the Dallas Center.  An expectation of a Research Scientist is that the successful candidate will generate a percentage of their salary.  If the description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity to join our team.

Job Responsibilities:

(65 %) Research

Develop methodologies, collect primary data, conduct interviews, and work closely with a wide range of collaborators, stakeholders, and institutional contacts related to environmental science learning, citizen and community science, and water quality and stormwater management in Texas. This position also requires strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, maintain overall program mission, and work cooperatively in a diverse team environment. In addition to pursuing their own data collection, the researcher will collaborate with other research staff and departmental faculty as specified by the Urban Water Innovation Sustainability Hub (WISH) leadership team. Further, because of the interdisciplinary focus of this program, this candidate is expected to work in close partnership with Extension collaborators including specialists, agents, volunteers, and program leaders, as appropriate, for the implementation of project objectives and the development/dissemination of resulting deliverables. The candidate will contribute to academic publications, participate in team meetings, present project findings at professional conferences and related events, and organize workshops and other events related to the Urban WISH science plan and associated projects.

(15 %) Proposal Development

The successful candidate will actively lead and contribute to the development of grant proposals to support their continued research activity, the overarching Urban WISH research mission, and collaborative efforts across the AgriLife Research units.

10%: Project Management

They will organize and manage project data, arrange events and meetings relating to the project, engage in project management, participate in salary planning and budget management, and contribute to the analysis and dissemination of research. 

5%: Service

The candidate is expected to participate in service activities that support the Urban WISH research mission and the overarching mission of AgriLife Research through strategic networking and stakeholder engagement. These activities may include, but are not limited to, active participation in professional societies, participation on advisory committees, and service on graduate student committees at the discretion of the Urban WISH leadership team.

(5%) Other Duties – Performs other duties as required.

Required Education and Experience:

PhD in Environmental Science or related field

Six (6) years of related experience

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in field related to Environmental Systems, Science Education, Citizen Science, or Hydrology
• Development of research funding proposals (as PI or Co-PI)
• Extensive experience building networks and engaging collaborators for community engagement.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration on research or education
• Science-policy interface

Required Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong quantitative skills, management, and analysis skills
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work as a team player
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others
• Ability to translate research analysis into peer-reviewed articles
• Excellent academic writing and communication skills in English
• Capacity to pursue discipline-based and interdisciplinary work, and to conduct independent scientific research at a high level
• Sound judgment and strong decision-making skills
• Ability to provide attention to detail and work independently

Preferred Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A strong background in community engagement with water management in urban systems
• Familiarity with peculiarities of the urban water cycle, the SWMM model, spatial analyses, and GIS
• Skills in project management and grant writing
• Ability to work on interdisciplinary teams or projects
• Ability to work with stakeholders
• Emerging track record in social research and international peer-reviewed publications (published in peer-reviewed articles)

Special Instructions: A cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references (to include at least one previous supervisor) are strongly recommended. You may upload all three on the application under CV/Resume or upon answering the questionnaire you may attach the documents.

Contact Person for Questions and Clarification: Wendy Jepson, Associate Director TWRI, Professor, Geography, wjepson@tamu.edu

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 committed to diversity.