Assistant Research Scientist

Job Title

Assistant Research Scientist

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Geography

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Temporary/Casual Staff (Fixed Term)

Job Description

Here’s a Glimpse of the Job

The Department of Geology and Geophysics at Texas A&M University is inviting applicants for an Assistant Research Scientist working with fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, hydrodynamics, and transportation engineering. The position is dependent upon funding and is expected to last for 2 to 3 months.

Opportunities to Contribute

• Conducts independent research and demonstrates expertise in fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, hydrodynamics, and transportation engineering, integrating knowledge, methods, and tools from these disciplines. 
• Applies methodologies and tools from remote sensing, Geographic Information Science (GIS), graph theory, and data science to address complex research questions. 
• Analyzes both aspatial (e.g., tabular) and spatial (vector and raster) datasets using a range of geospatial tools and software. 
• Develops and customizes geospatial tools to meet project-specific needs. 
• Utilizes ArcGIS Pro proficiently for data visualization and spatial analysis. 
• Communicates research progress, expectations, and findings through clear writing, visualizations, and quality-controlled deliverables effectively to academic researchers, technical staff, and the public.  
• Prepares high-quality presentation materials on research topics for a range of venues.  
• Actively contributes to the preparation of technical progress reports required by research sponsors. 
• Contributes to the development, writing, and submission of grant proposals to support ongoing and future research. 
• Provides guidance and support to student researchers and/or graduate students engaged in project-related research activities.   

Qualifications

• Candidates are required to have a Ph.D. in a relevant field.
• Relevant professional experience.
• Ability to sit for extended periods (e.g., 6-8 hours/day).
• Visual acuity to read computer screens and documents.

A well-qualified candidate for this position will also possess:

• Demonstrated expertise in these fields, fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, hydrodynamics, and transportation engineering. 
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications, doctoral dissertations, professional research reports, or substantive contributions to related research projects. 
• Additional academic or professional experience in computer science and geology, demonstrated through coursework, research projects, or prior employment. 
• Prior experience with geospatial programming in languages and tools such as Python, Cython, C/C++, GOAL, OGR, Pandas/GeoPandas, R/R-spatial, MATLAB, FORTRAN, and NetworkX. 
• Proficient with both QGIS and ArcGIS for cartographic production and tool development. 
• Familiarity with legacy programming languages (e.g., PASCAL) and the ability to adapt legacy code for modern research purposes is highly valued. 
• Portfolio of published work that demonstrates visual and written communication skills, including authorship of key figures. 
• Experience using LaTeX and tools such as MATLAB or Matplotlib for producing publication-quality. 
• graphics with mathematical content. 
• Strong track record of contributing to successful research proposals and manuscript preparation in relevant scientific domains. 
• Record of presenting research to professional audiences, including presentations at 
• conferences such as the American Association of Geographers (AAG), American Geophysical Union (AGU), and Geological Society of America (GSA). 
• Prior experience mentoring students, with strength in debugging code and guiding the development of both written (e.g., manuscripts) and oral (e.g., presentations) products that effectively communicate complex or abstract technical concepts to non-specialist audiences. 
• Excellent writing skills through high-quality reports and publications. 
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills. 
• Ability to positively and professionally interact with clients and staff, groups of various sizes.
• Ability to orally comprehend and express information and use inductive and deductive reasoning.

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate based on the selected candidate's education and experience.

Please note: This position is grant funded; future employment may be contingent upon future funding.

What you need to do:

Apply! Submitting a cover letter, resume’/CV to assist us with the review process. You may upload these documents on the application under CV/Resume. 

Why Texas A&M University? 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.   

The Department of Geography (http://geography.tamu.edu) has 29 faculty members with strengths in biogeography, climatology, geomorphology, human geography, human-environment relationships, and Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST), and Environmental Programs in Geosciences. We are based in the College of Arts & Sciences (https://artsci.tamu.edu). The College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Texas A&M University. From anthropology to zoology, and women’s and gender studies to applied mathematical sciences, our disciplines are woven throughout the tapestry of modern society. With 130+ programs of study, our students find their passions, achieve academic success and secure the careers of their dreams. Our faculty contribute to the greater good by making discoveries and developing outreach services of local, national and global significance. Our partners find rich collaborations and support that empower individuals and organizations to make an impact.

Texas A&M University, a land-, sea-, and space-grant university, is located in a metropolitan area with a dynamic and international community of over 255,000 people. 

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.  

• Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life and AD&D, flexible spending accounts, and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M 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  

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time 

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more  

• Educational release time and tuition assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee 

• Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees 

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University 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.

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.