Assistant Professor Sustainable Urban Water Management

Agency

Department

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas Water Research Institute (TWRI) are seeking a highly motivated and visionary Assistant Professor in Sustainable Urban Water Management. The appointment is a 12month based position with 75 research and 25 extension. The candidate is expected to lead at the forefront of innovation and technology particularly in the realm of plantwater relationships the use of alternative water resources for irrigation the implementation of climatebased irrigation technologies the development of bluegreen infrastructure and active engagement in citizen science initiatives.

This position has the potential to integrate with existing programs at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas especially in turfgrass and urban landscape ecological engineering and controlled environment horticulture (CEH) programs as well as complement water research programs at other research and extension centers and departments. Furthermore this role at the Dallas Center has the potential to emerge as a central hub for tackling urban water challenges in five major Texas metropolitan areas Houston Dallas Fort Worth San Antonio and Austin. Given that twothirds of Texas population resides in these areas maintaining a robust research and extension program under effective leadership while stressing the importance of active stakeholder and community engagement will be crucial for longterm sustainable urban water management in the state of Texas.

Position Responsibilities:

Research Excellence:

• Investigate and comprehend the complex interplay of soilplantwater within urban environments.
• Develop and implement cuttingedge climateinformed irrigation technologies for sustainable water management and conservation.
• Investigate mapping and modeling of water usage.
• Develop strategies to maximize efficient water usage in urban environments.
• Investigate the effects of water quality in turfgrass and food production systems.
• Optimize water management practices in CEH systems
• Investigate different water sources for potential use in turfgrass and controlled environment production systems.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff at the Dallas Center and other AgriLife Centers to develop innovative and sustainable bluegreen infrastructure solutions to enhance urban resilience reduce flood risks and improve environmental quality.

Extension outreach:

• Support extension and outreach programs to enhance urban water security and resilience focusing on sustainable management practices and climate adaptation.
• Foster citizen science and community involvement by examining public perceptions and implementing targeted educational initiatives.
• Investigate the main drivers of water conservation adoption strategies and overall social implications.
• Educate urban residents on critical water conservation practices and enhance water quality through landscape management and urban water use best practices.
• Support County Extension Agents in training and evaluation of water programs.
• These duties require operating a vehicle to perform duties.

Leadership:

• Cultivate partnerships with stakeholders including but not limited to cities municipal water districts and water related groups (e.g. Texas Water Development Board) to enhance collaborative efforts in urban water conservation.
• Influence policy decisions related to urban water security and irrigation regulations.
• Serve as a pillar to unify various individual efforts and different groups (inside the Texas A&M system) into a cohesive and synergistic team.

Program Development:

• Establish and maintain an extramurally funded research and extension program to lead in sustainable urban water management.
• Mentor graduate students and undergraduate students.
• Oversee and guide a research and extension team in the urban water program.

Administrative Relationships:

• Reports directly to the Center Director Texas A&M AgriLife ResearchDallas with guidance from the Texas Water Resources Institute.
• Directs the work of support staff other technical personnel and graduate students assigned to the research program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required job qualifications:

• Ph.D. in an area of Environmental Science Engineering Water Resource Management Horticulture or a closely related field.
• Experience conducting research on soilplantwater interactions urban water management or related disciplines.
• Strong quantitative skills including expertise in water modeling hydrological modeling GIS or related analytical techniques.
• Record of peerreviewed publications or scholarly achievements demonstrating research proficiency.
• Valid drivers license or the ability to obtain one by the hire date.

Preferred job qualifications:

• Prior academic postdoctoral or professional experience in urban water management.
• Prior research experience integrating stormwater management rainwater harvesting or sustainable landscaping practices.
• Experience working with municipal entities water districts or in multiagency collaborative settings.
• Modest teaching experience will enhance graduate student success.
• Modest outreach experience with stakeholder interaction and community engagement.
• Grant writing experience and evidence of the ability to attract external funding.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Excellence in verbal and written communication skills including a relevant publication record.
• Teambuilding skills collaboration capacity and project management abilities.
• Good organization skills.
• Professional demeanor.
• Ability to multitask and establish effective working relationships.
• Knowledge and understanding of the mission and role of the Land Grant University System.

Additional information about Texas A&M AgriLife Research Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center Dallas and the Texas Water Resources Institute.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research: A&M AgriLife Extension Service: A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center Dallas: Water Resources Institute: You Need to Know

Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidates qualifications.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife

When you choose toworkfor 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 packing including the following:

• Health dental vision life and longterm disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 1215 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leaveand at leasteight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in theTeacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Application Instructions

Applicants must upload a

• Cover letter (twopage limit)
• Curriculum vitae including a list of three references and their contact information within the CV
• Vision statements of research and service (twopage limit).

To be given full consideration please submit applications by 4/18/2025. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. The anticipated start date is 9/1/2025.

Questions:

Address inquiries to Search Committee Chair and cochair:Dr. Genhua Niu Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center Dallas and Dr. Lucas F. Gregory Associate Director at Texas Water Research Institute.

All positions are securitysensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation and employment is contingent upon the institutions verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institutions procedures including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.