Postdoctoral Research Associate
Company: Texas A&M Agrilife Research
Location: Dallas
Posted on: April 2, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Title Postdoctoral Research Associate Agency Texas A&M
Agrilife Research Department Dallas Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate Job Location Dallas, Texas Job Type Staff Job
Description Texas A&M AgriLife’s Institute for Advancing Health
Through Agriculture (IHA) Healthy Living program, based at the
AgriLife Center at Dallas, is seeking applications for a
Postdoctoral Research Associate with a focus on the effect of
physical activity on mental health outcomes under the mentorship of
Dr. Chad Rethorst. The successful candidate will join a cohort of
Postdoctoral Research Associates within the Health Living Research
team, create an Individual Development Plan in close collaboration
with Dr. Rethorst, receive training in grant writing, and have
opportunities for research dissemination through published
manuscripts and conference presentations. Further, the successful
candidate will be actively engaged in a planned pilot trial of
resistance training for men with depression and have opportunities
to contribute to other active research projects (evaluation of
app-based cardiovascular disease prevention intervention,
microrandomized trials to support development of just-in-time
adaptative interventions target physical activity and dietary
behaviors). Texas A&M AgriLife is an organization that supports
healthy living for all Texans, through the research of tailored
agricultural practices that yield nutritious food sources, outreach
programs that train community members on growing their own food,
and preservation of natural resources via eco-friendly means, all
while following practices that lead to a stronger Texas economy.
Overseen by the Office of the Vice Chancellor and Dean for the
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife
includes the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas
A&M AgriLife Research, the College of Agriculture & Life
Sciences at Texas A&M University, Texas A&M Forest Service,
and Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. The
Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through
Agriculture (IHA) is the world’s first academic institute to bring
together precision nutrition, responsive agriculture, and social
and behavioral healthy living research to reduce diet-related
chronic disease in a way that considers environmental and economic
factors. The IHA unites experts from various fields such as
agriculture, nutrition, behavioral sciences, exercise physiology,
health communications, public health, social sciences, life
sciences, engineering, data and computation science, and economics.
Healthy Living implements, evaluates, and disseminates scientific
solutions, applicable to all Texans, for improved public health.
The Healthy Living team works on a broad portfolio of extramurally
funded, community-engaged research and active collaborations with
community partners, cooperative extension, and many academic and
nonprofit organizations throughout Texas and beyond. We aim to
understand the means of building communities around healthy living
and about facilitating the delivery of current, accurate,
evidence-based programs, guidelines, and information that supports
healthier living for Texans. Areas of particular interest to
Healthy Living include health promotion, food access, food systems,
food and nutrition insecurity, dietary patterns and behaviors,
diet/food interventions, program development and evaluation,
physical activity behaviors and intervention development, policy
system and environmental change, citizen science and
community-engaged research, and mHealth technologies and
interventions. The IHA’s Healthy Living program is housed at the
Texas A&M AgriLife Center at Dallas, which focuses on
scientific research, public outreach, and education programs. The
Center is a regional hub for Texas A&M AgriLife activity. It is
one of 13 AgriLife Centers across the state - each focusing on
issues specific to their region. Broad focus areas at the Dallas
Center include healthy living, urban agriculture and forestry, and
water and land resource management. Responsibilities: Primary
responsibilities include: Playing an active role in research
projects, including project/program conceptualization, development,
implementation, and evaluation. Lead and collaborate on manuscript
preparation from relevant studies (e.g., data analysis, writing,
and submission). Develop, write, and collaborate on grant
proposals; engage in career development and training opportunities
geared toward preparation for a faculty career. Develop, write, and
collaborate on grant proposals; engage in career development and
training opportunities geared toward preparation for a faculty
career. Required Qualifications: PhD in related field (e.g.,
Kinesiology, Public Health, Psychology). Appropriate research
background, as demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed
journals, grant funding, and stature appropriate for a postdoctoral
scholar. Professional demeanor and demonstrated ability to manage
and safeguard confidential information with the utmost discretion
and professionalism, ensuring sensitive data is handled securely
and in compliance with privacy policies. Ability to take
initiative, work independently, multitask, work cooperatively with
others, and manage priorities and tasks as assigned. Excellent
written and oral communication skills. Ability to multi-task and
work cooperatively with others. Preferred Qualifications:
Experience developing and evaluating physical activity
interventions and related research studies in mental health.
Experience with data analysis, including sufficient knowledge in
statistical tools and software. Develop, write, and collaborate on
grant proposals; engage in career development and training
opportunities geared toward preparation for a faculty career.
Develop, write, and collaborate on grant proposals; engage in
career development and training opportunities geared toward
preparation for a faculty career. Experience working with various
individuals and communities. What You Need to Know Salary:
Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the
selected candidate’s qualifications. Other Requirements: In order
to be considered for this position prior to your doctoral degree
being conferred, please attach a letter from your school’s official
Graduate Office, Registrar’s Office or PhD Committee Chair
certifying that all requirements for the doctoral degree have been
met and stating the degree conferral date. Applicant Instructions:
Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife 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. Why Work at Texas A&M
AgriLife? When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you
become part of an organization that is an established leader in
agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to
meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international
constituents. In addition, 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, Fort Worth , Postdoctoral Research Associate, Science, Research & Development , Dallas, Texas
