Assistant Professor in Sustainable Urban Water Management

Agency

Department

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 nations 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 5000 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

This position is expected to integrate with and complement 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 agriculture (CEA) programs. It is also expected that the successful applicant will 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 two-thirds 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 long-term sustainable urban water management in the state of Texas.

Position Responsibilities:

Research areas:

• Investigate and comprehend the complex interplay of soil-plant-water within urban environments.

• Develop and implement cutting-edge climate-informed irrigation technologies for sustainable urban water management and conservation.

• Develop strategies to maximize efficient water usage in urban environments.

• Investigate the effects of water quality in turfgrass and CEA crops.

• Investigate technologies that improve water quality and reduce contaminants.

• Optimize water management practices in CEA systems.

• Investigate alternative water sources for potential use in turfgrass and CEA production systems.

• Collaborate with faculty and staff at the Dallas Center and other AgriLife Centers to develop innovative and sustainable blue-green 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Program Development:

• Establish and maintain an extramurally funded research and extension program to lead in sustainable urban water management.

• Mentor postdocs graduate students and undergraduate students.

• Oversee and guide a research and extension team in the urban water program.

Leadership:

• Investigate alternative water sources for potential use in turfgrass and CEA production systems.

• Provide leadership management and direction to the Dallas Water Team in research direction grantsmanship and engagement activities.

Administrative Relationships:

• Reports directly to the Center Director Texas A&M AgriLife Research-Dallas with guidance from the Texas Water Resources Institute.

• Guides the work of two Water Team members support staff other technical personnel and potential 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 soil-plant-water interactions urban water management or related disciplines.

• Experience in technologies related to water quality and use efficiency.

• Strong quantitative skills including expertise in water modeling hydrological modeling GIS or related analytical techniques.

• Record of peer-reviewed publications or scholarly achievements demonstrating research proficiency.

• Experience or capacity to lead a research team to effectively pursue and secure funding support to accomplish research goals and objectives.

• Valid drivers license or the ability to obtain one by the hire date.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

• Prior academic post-doctoral or professional experience in urban water management.

• Prior research experience on stormwater management rainwater harvesting sustainable landscaping and/or CEA practices.

• Experience working with municipal entities water districts or in multi-agency collaborative settings

• Modest teaching experience that will enhance graduate student success.

• Modest outreach experience with stakeholder interaction and community engagement.

• Grant writing experience (or potential) 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.

• Team-building skills collaboration capacity and project management abilities.

• Good organization skills.

• Professional demeanor.

• Ability to multi-task 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 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 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

Applicant Instructions

Applicants must upload a

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

To be given full consideration please submit applications by 11/30/2025. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. The anticipated start date is 5/1/2026.

Questions:

Address inquiries to Search Committee Chair and co-chair:Dr. Azlan Zahid Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center Dallas and Dr. T. Allen Berthold Associate Director at Texas Water Research Institute .

All positions are security-sensitive. 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/Veterans/Disability Employer.