Senior Research Scientist

Job TitleSenior Research Scientist Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Evidence Center Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationFort Worth, Texas Job TypeStaff Job Description The Senior Research Scientist, under general supervision, designs, performs, and analyzes experiments. Mentors students on analyzing and preparing data results. Who We Are: As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within The Texas A&M University System. Texas A&M AgriLife Research is one of these agencies. With over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension, and service. Texas A&M Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center is a newly created center with the mission to become an authoritative source of objective information and analysis on the Agri-Food system’s effects on health, the environment, and the economy. The Evidence Center will conduct and publish state-of-the-art research synthesis studies of different types (e.g., systematic reviews, meta-analyses) important for understanding the impact of agriculture, food, nutrition, and natural resource policies on human, environmental, and economic health and sustainability. The Evidence Center will also drive the next generation of research synthesis methodologies that are rigorous and transparent, and be a leading convener in gaining global consensus on standards of evidence, as well as promoting and strengthening public trust in science-informed policies and solutions. What We Want: The Texas A&M Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Evidence Center seeks an experienced scientist with expertise in research synthesis methodologies related to diet, nutrition, food and health. This Research Scientist will serve as the Program Leader for Nutrition & Health, and under the general direction of the Evidence Center Deputy Director, this individual will lead in developing, conducting, and publishing evidence reviews. This role will also oversee training and development of the project team, including research assistants and interns, as well as assuring project quality standards are met. Additionally, the Program Leader will serve as a resource for faculty and staff in providing education on research synthesis methods and standards. Responsibilities: Facilitate proposal development for new scientific evidence review projects on diet, nutrition, food and health topics, including tracking deadlines for timely submission of proposals, and coordinating internal proposal reviews and alignment. Coordinate and manage nutrition and health scientific evidence review projects including oversight for project conduct, managing project teams and timelines, and leading in report generation and publication. Ensure projects are conducted following state-of-the-art methods and best practices, including prospective publication of protocols and engaging in data transparency initiatives. Actively participate on collaborative cross-functional teams addressing evidence across the agri-food-health system, providing advice, guidance, and leadership to assure key nutrition and health implications and outcomes are identified and included in assessments. Coordinate topic expert panels and co-investigators on projects, including leading and responsibility for generation of protocols, gaining alignment on scope, question identification and study criteria, as well as managing publications and presentations. Provide leadership in education on evidence-based methodologies, such as for the center’s workshop and educational program initiatives, and serve as a resource for faculty in training and managing interns and students on evidence projects. Other duties as required Required Education and Experience: A Ph.D. in a relevant field. At least 8 years of experience as a scientific leader on relevant research projects, including managing personnel and teams, and aligning goals and methods. Preferred Experience: Experience coordinating expert panels and policy deliberation teams with multiple scientific stakeholders, including managing decision alignment and report generation and publication. A proven track record of publishing high-level scientific research synthesis studies (e.g., systematic reviews, meta-analyses). Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify workable solutions, and make appropriate determinations based on accepted quality standards and relevant policies. Able to manage multiple priorities and timelines. Ability to deliver presentations on evidence-based methodologies and findings to broad-based audiences, including students, non-academic stakeholders, and scientific organizations. Effective English written and verbal communications skills, and excellent interpersonal abilities. Ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others. 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. As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within the Texas A&M University System With over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service. If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you. 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 Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners. Prospective employee benefits Retirement programs Commitment to inclusive excellence Strategic plan