Assistant/Associate Professor in Water and Agriculture

Posting Information

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Posting Information

Position Title Assistant/Associate Professor in Water and Agriculture

Job Posting Number 2026076TTL

Job Location San Marcos

Department Department of Agricultural Sciences

Position Description

Agriculture lies at the center of many of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century, including water scarcity, declining water quality, increasing drought risk, environmental degradation, and food insecurity. As both a major user of water and a key component of hydrologic systems, agriculture plays a dual role: it contributes to water\-resource pressures while also offering pathways toward sustainable and resilient solutions. Addressing these challenges requires integrated, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches that bridge core agricultural disciplines, including crop and animal sciences, soil science, economics, public policy, engineering, human dimensions, and extension.

The Department of Agricultural Sciences at Texas State University invites applications for a tenured track Assistant/ tenure track or tenured Associate Professor focused on the water–agriculture–environment nexus. We seek candidates whose research and teaching address water issues in agricultural systems using an integrated approach that includes hydrologic processes, water use, and sustainability, with attention to biophysical, economic, social, and policy dimensions. This position builds directly on the department’s existing strengths in crops, animals, soil, economics, policy, and extension, while expanding departmental capacity to advance research and education in ecosystem services and regenerative agriculture.

Research Focus

The successful candidate will develop an externally funded research program centered on water in agricultural systems, broadly defined. While candidates may approach these issues from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, their work should clearly demonstrate engagement with water\-related challenges affecting agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability, and resource resilience.

Relevant research areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Hydrologic variability and climate impacts on agricultural production systems.
• Drought adaptation and water management strategies in crops, livestock, or aquaculture.
• Economic, financial, or policy analysis of agricultural water use (e.g., irrigation), drought, groundwater management, water markets, or water quality regulation.
• Evaluation of water, agricultural, or environmental policy instruments, including incentives, regulations, and market\-based mechanisms.
• Systems science and boundaries for water security (e.g., integrated biophysical\-economic modeling of water and agricultural systems).
• Interdisciplinary modeling that includes all of the agricultural sciences.
• Multidisciplinary experience in water science research.
• Human dimensions and public policy.
• Regenerative agriculture or conservation\-oriented agricultural systems with measurable water outcomes.
• Data\-driven research using biophysical, spatial, climate, administrative datasets or remote sensing datasets relevant to water and agriculture.
• Aquaculture systems and their relation to water use or water quality dynamics.

The successful candidate is expected to pursue competitive external funding and contribute to interdisciplinary collaborations within the department, college, and across the university. Candidates may be trained in any agricultural or related fields but should have a history and expertise in water\-centered agricultural and environmental challenges.

Teaching Responsibilities

The faculty member will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in Agricultural Sciences. Teaching assignments will align with departmental needs and the candidate’s disciplinary expertise. Current instructional areas include crop and animal sciences, soil science, economics, agricultural policy, and agricultural engineering (irrigation).

The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop new courses in areas such as:

• Water economics and management.
• Water–agriculture systems science.
• Regenerative agriculture with emphasis on the water cycle.
• Agricultural, environmental, or water policy.

The department values applied, interdisciplinary, and data\-driven instruction that prepares students for careers in agriculture, resource management, and environmental sustainability.

Interdisciplinary Role and Collaboration

This position complements a concurrent water\-focused hire in other units within Texas State University (including Engineering and Biology) and maintains a distinct emphasis on water in agricultural systems. The faculty member will collaborate across campus with scholars in soil science, water science, climate science, economics, modeling, geography, engineering, and environmental studies.

The position will contribute to broader efforts within the department and university to strengthen interdisciplinary research and teaching at the water–agriculture–environment interface, including engagement with centers and initiatives focused on water resources and sustainability.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be submitted by March 25, 2026\.

Required Qualifications

At the Assistant Professor level:

• Earned Ph.D. in an agricultural or closely related field by the time of appointment (e.g., crops, animals, soil, economics, policy, agricultural engineering or closely related discipline).
• Demonstrated research agenda addressing water in agricultural and environmental systems. Recent publications will be emphasized, but all publications will be considered.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness or strong potential for excellence in teaching
• A history of or potential for advising student projects.
• An ability to contribute to the mission of the department,
https://ag.txst.edu/.

At the Associate Professor level:

• Earned Ph.D. in an agricultural or closely related field by the time of appointment (e.g., crops, animals, soil, economics, policy, agricultural engineering or closely related discipline).
• Demonstrated research agenda addressing water in agricultural and environmental systems.
• Record of peer\-reviewed research publications on water issues in agricultural systems.
• Minimum of five years of relevant university\-level teaching and/or research experience.
• Record of external grant funding to support research.
• Evidence of a nationally recognized research program.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness and excellence.
• Evidence of successful mentoring of undergraduate, graduate students, and/or postdocs.
• An ability to contribute to the mission of the department,
https://ag.txst.edu/.

Preferred Qualifications

At the Assistant Professor level:

• Experience with working US Department of Agriculture (USDA), state departments of Agriculture, Soil and Water conservation districts, and local agriculture organizations (livestock producers, producer associations, etc.).
• Research focus and experience in fields complementary to those of other faculty in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Texas State University.
• Record of working as part of an interdisciplinary team related to water or agriculture.
• Experience teaching or developing courses in agricultural and/or water\-related fields.
• Record of grant funding to support research.
• Competency with applied data analysis, modeling, or data science approaches.

At the Associate Professor level:

• Experience with working USDA, state departments of Agriculture, Soil and Water conservation districts, and local agriculture organizations (livestock producers, producer associations etc.).
• Research focus and experience in fields complementary to those of other faculty in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Texas State University.
• Experience in interdisciplinary or collaborative research environments and Multidisciplinary research experience related to water or agriculture.
• Documented record of experience teaching or developing courses in agricultural and/or water\-related fields.
• Competency with applied data analysis, modeling, or data science approaches.
• Record of grant development and external funding.
• Funding, transferable to this position.
• Endowment acquisition.

Application Procedures

Only applications submitted through the Texas State University website will be accepted and considered: https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/56206.

To ensure full consideration, please submit the following by March 25, 2026

• Cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications (1 page).
• Curriculum vitae with separate sections for publications.
• Statement of research interests (max. 2 pages).
• Teaching statement describing philosophy, experience, and approach to mentoring (max. 2 pages).
• PDFs of 3–5 peer\-reviewed publications most relevant to the position.
• Unofficial transcripts (all in one document).
• The contact information for 3\-5 academic references who can provide information about the applicant’s skills and experiences. Please provide the names and email addresses for your academic references in the Reference Letter section of the employment application.

The selected candidate will be required to provide official transcripts from all degree\-granting institutions. Starting salary is commensurate with experience and start\-up package is competitive and negotiable. Applications must be submitted through the Texas State University online employment system by 3/25/2026\.

Proposed Start Date 8/16/2026

Posting Date 03/07/2026

Review Date 03/26/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled? Yes

Legal Notices

Texas State University is committed to a policy of non\-discrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law in employment, educational programs, and activities and admissions.

Employment with Texas State University is contingent upon the outcome of record checks and verifications including, but not limited to, criminal history, driving records, education records, employment verifications, reference checks, and employment eligibility verifications.

This position may conduct research on critical infrastructure depending on the research focus of a hire. Consistent with the requirements of the State of Texas, individuals conducting research on critical infrastructure will be subject to pre\-employment, and then subsequent routine background checks/cybersecurity screenings. Employment will at all times be contingent upon the successful completion of these screenings in accordance with State and University requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation

If you experience accessibility issues or require alternative formatting during the application process due to a disability or underlying condition, we request that you contact Talent Acquisition for assistance. A representative from Talent Acquisition will respond to you as soon as possible.

Record Checks and Verifications

Employment with Texas State University is contingent upon the outcome of record checks and verifications including, but not limited to, criminal history, driving records, education records, employment verifications, reference checks, and employment eligibility verifications.

Eligibility for Employment

In accordance with federal law, all new employees must complete the Form I\-9 and provide acceptable documentation verifying their identity and authorization to work in the United States. Texas State University participates in E\-Verify, and employment is contingent upon the successful verification of work authorization. Employees are required to maintain valid work authorization to satisfy the conditions of Form I9 at all times during their employment and the university makes no implicit or explicit promises to financially support visa or permanent residency applications.

Why Work at Texas State?

Texas State University is a large, student\-centered public research institution serving more than 40,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in San Marcos and Round Rock. Classified as a Carnegie Doctoral University with High Research Activity (R2\), TXST is actively advancing its ambitious Run to R1 strategy, demonstrating sustained growth in research activity, doctoral education, and scholarly impact.

Faculty at TXST join a vibrant academic community of over 5,000 faculty and staff committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service. The university offers a collaborative, supportive environment, and interdisciplinary scholarship. Outstanding faculty are drawn to TXST for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact—advancing research, mentoring a growing student body, and helping shape the future of a rapidly growing research university.