• Postdoctoral Research Associate

    Texas A&M University System (College Station, TX)


    Job Title

     

    Postdoctoral Research Associate

     

    Agency

     

    Texas A&M Agrilife Research

     

    Department

     

    Agricultural Economics

     

    Proposed Minimum Salary

     

    Commensurate

     

    Job Location

     

    College Station, Texas

     

    Job Type

     

    Staff

    Job Description

    Job description

    The Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to innovative research at the intersection of behavioral environmental economics, responsive agriculture, and public health. Potential areas of focus include understanding how behavioral factors influence producer adoption of sustainable and resource-efficient practices; applying causal inference methods with experimental and observational data to evaluate the environmental, economic, and public health impacts of responsive agriculture; and examining consumer responses to responsive agriculture initiatives, sustainability and health-related claims, and strategies that link responsive agricultural practices to dietary and public health outcomes.

     

    The position will involve designing and analyzing experiments, modeling producer and consumer behavior, and integrating experimental and observational approaches to generate robust evidence. The postdoc will also have opportunities to publish in high-impact outlets, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and contribute to outreach efforts that translate research findings into actionable policy and practice.

     

    Responsive agriculture integrates data, technology, and management practices to make production systems more resilient, profitable, and adaptable to changing environmental, resource, and market conditions. The candidate will work closely with scholars at the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture (IHA) and the Human Behavior Laboratory (HBL) to advance the mission of responsive agriculture and human health.

     

    IHA is located in the Norman Borlaug Building, which houses state-of-the-art laboratories and clinical space for conducting human studies, as well as facilities for measuring metabolites, biomarkers, and micronutrients derived from human, animal, and plant research. The Responsive Agriculture Program is closely connected to the Human Behavior Laboratory, a leading facility equipped with cutting-edge tools such as eye-tracking, facial expression analysis, electroencephalography (EEG), and galvanic skin response (GSR), enabling incentivized experiments to explore human decision-making and behavior ( https://hbl.tamu.edu ).

    Responsibilities

    The Postdoctoral researcher will work primarily on collaborative research in the Department of Agricultural Economics and the IHA under the direction of Dr. Rudy Nayga and Dr. Marco Palma. The successful candidate will be actively involved in the design, implementation, and data analysis of incentivized economic experiments (lab, field, or online) as well as causal inference using observational data. The selected candidate is expected to develop a strong research portfolio for publications and grantsmanship.

    Required Education and Experience

    + PhD degree in agricultural economics, economics, applied economics with emphasis in behavioral and environmental economics or related fields.

    + D emonstrated record of research achievement and commitment to pursue high-quality research.

    + Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

    + Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

    Preferred Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

    + Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting economic experiments and/or applying causal inference econometric methods with observational data.

    + Research background at the intersection of behavioral economics, environmental economics, health economics, and responsive agriculture.

    + Strong quantitative, analytical, and writing skills with a record of scholarly productivity.

    + Ability to work collaboratively and communicate research findings to both academic and non-academic audiences.

     

    Candidates should submit a cover letter with a clear description of their research interest, CV, a writing sample, and the contact information for three references by November 15, 2025. The appointment is for one year, renewable based on performance and funding availability. The start date could be on or around February 1, 2026. For questions, please email Dr. Rudy Nayga ([email protected])

     

    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.