Research Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco
Company: Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Location: Weslaco
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Title Research Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife
Research and Extension Center at Weslaco Agency Texas A&M
Agrilife Research Department Research Director Management Proposed
Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Weslaco, Texas Job Type
Faculty Job Description About the Organization Texas A&M
AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco 2415 E. Business
83, Weslaco, Texas 78596 weslaco.tamu.edu The Texas A&M
AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco houses
agriculture, life sciences and natural resources research,
technology development and extension expertise to benefit South
Texas food and commodity crop systems, with impacts across the
state, the U.S. and the world. The center at Weslaco is one of 13
Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension centers across the
state. Each regional center addresses agriculture, life sciences
and natural resources issues that are relevant to the food and
commodities thriving where we operate. The centers also collaborate
statewide on a range of teaching, research and extension
initiatives. Each of the regional centers is administrated by Texas
A&M AgriLife Research and houses faculty and staff from a range
of organizations within The Texas A&M University System. About
Texas A&M AgriLife With oversight by the Office of the Vice
Chancellor, Texas A&M AgriLife, a member of the Texas A&M
University System, includes: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, College of Agriculture &
Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Forest
Service and Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.
Texas A&M AgriLife Research is the leading research and
technology development agency in Texas for agriculture, natural
resources, and the life sciences. Our discoveries yield economic,
environmental, and health benefits that are key to our state’s
success and vital to the lives of its citizens. With 13 Research
and Extension Centers throughout the state, AgriLife Research is
dedicated to research that improves the Texas economy and lives of
local and state-wide stakeholders through research encompassing the
Agriculture and Food Value Chain. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Service provides programs, tools and resources on a local and
statewide level that teach people improved agriculture and food
production, advanced health practices, environmental protection,
economic and youth programs. Health and wellness programs focus on
diabetes education, nutrition, exercise, food safety, child safety
and injury prevention, and early cancer detection. Position
Information Title: Research Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife
Research and Extension Center at Weslaco Appointment: 12 months
Reports To: Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research Location:
Weslaco Research & Extension Center, Weslaco, TX Texas A&M
AgriLife Research seeks a full-time, research-active and dynamic
faculty member to serve as Center Director. This person will be
responsible for administering and coordinating all aspects of the
center as well as leading a robust, nationally recognized research
program in agricultural sciences and food systems. This is a
12-month appointment and will be linked with a departmental
affiliation within Texas A&M University that best fits the
candidate’s background and interest. This position is expected to
provide visionary leadership for the center, recognizing and
responding to dynamic research and public service needs regionally
and statewide, and to serve as a catalyst for the design and
implementation of innovative research projects. Additionally, the
Center Director is responsible for fostering productive
partnerships and relationships with relevant organizations;
recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty and staff;
promoting professional development among faculty and staff;
facilitating the acquisition of external funding; and providing
sound management of human, physical, and fiscal resources. Central
to the success of this position is the ability to foster
interdisciplinary research and collaborate on the subject matter
with Department Heads, University central administration, Texas
A&M AgriLife Extension, local/state/national government
entities, civic and business leaders and advisory and commodity
groups. Responsibilities: Develop a vision for the continued role
of the Center and AgriLife Research in the dynamic environment of
agriculture, food and water science in Texas and elsewhere. Provide
intellectual, philosophical and strategic leadership to Center
faculty and scientists, staff and students to enhance research,
extension and teaching missions. Develop strategic responses to
food and agriculture-related issues and opportunities, particularly
in meeting the needs of the local food and agricultural industry.
Develop and/or lead research teams to respond to internal and
external research grant opportunities with the involvement of
research faculty from AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension, as
well as other research institutions. Manage human and fiscal
resources, including team building and leading a contract and
grants program that elevates the Center’s efforts throughout
AgriLife. Represent the Center to state and federal agencies,
private organizations, partners, collaborators, key industry groups
and international organizations. Provide leadership for the
coordination of efforts between research, teaching and extension
faculty to create an effective and synergistic working
relationship. Liaison with the administration of AgriLife Research
to plan initiatives, convey research and extension information and
pursue fundraising opportunities that will benefit the Center far
into the future. Maintain communication with AgriLife Program
Administration, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department
Heads, AgriLife Extension leadership and other Texas A&M
University System components regarding issues affecting Texas
A&M AgriLife or other system components. Develop collaborative
administrative leadership approach between Center Director and
District Extension Administrator for Research and Extension
programs and operations for the Center. Performs other duties as
assigned. Required Qualifications: A Ph.D. in one or more related
fields such as horticulture, agronomy, plant physiology, breeding,
water sciences and/or environmental sustainability. Experience in
managing human and fiscal resources. Be a well-recognized leader in
agricultural sciences, with an excellent research background in a
relevant field, as demonstrated by publications in peer reviewed
journals, grant funding and stature appropriate for a full-time
faculty appointment at the professor level. Demonstrated ability to
engage with stakeholder groups, identify critical issues and act on
those needs through research activities that bring resolution to
problems. Demonstrated success in building, supporting and leading
interdisciplinary programs and teams. Excellent English verbal,
written, and electronic communication skills. Strong writing,
public speaking, and presentation skills. Ability to communicate
effectively with faculty, staff, administration, and stakeholders.
Ability to manage multi- and interdisciplinary teams. Ability to
utilize leadership skills to inspire Center employees, manage
teams, and invest in the individual success of staff members.
Knowledge of a commitment to the mission of a Land Grant University
is essential. Knowledge of fundraising, where development ideas
advance the goals of the Center. Ability to coordinate with
broad-based partners and stakeholders to address current and
emerging agricultural, food, and water challenges statewide,
nationally, and internationally. Ability to multitask and work
cooperatively with others. Preferred Qualifications: At least 10
years conducting competitively funded research Knowledge of the
Land Grant System and a track record of using research and
extension to solve problems and convey practical solutions to
stakeholders Demonstrated experience navigating conflicting
interests to achieve accepted practices among groups (e.g.,
stakeholders, trade associations, commodity groups, state and/or
federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, etc.) Application
Requirements An application should contain: A cover letter A
statement of research for the position (2-page limit) A statement
of administrative vision for the position (2-page limit) A current
resume or curriculum vitae Contact information for three references
Failure to provide all job application documents listed above could
result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. What
You Need to Know Salary: A competitive salary will be offered to an
individual with the skills and experiences noted above. Benefits:
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 leave and at least eight
hours of paid vacation each month Automatic enrollment in the
Teacher Retirement System of Texas Employee Wellness Initiative for
Texas A&M AgriLife 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.
Keywords: Texas A&M Agrilife Research, McAllen , Research Center Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco, Science, Research & Development , Weslaco, Texas
