Research Scientist Associate

New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM, USA

Job Description

503495

Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States

Staff

Staff Full-time

Closing at: May 21 2026 - 23:55 MDT

Department Contact: Samantha Lish, 575-646-1726, slish@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Jornada Experimental Range is seeking an applicant for a Research Scientist, I position to implement social science research to understand livestock producers’ experiences with precision ranching (PR) tools, such as virtual fencing and remote sensing.

Position Details

Position Title: Research Scientist Associate

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317250-JORNADA EXPER RANGE HEADQUARTERS

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Designing and conducting qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys with ranchers across the Southwest and Western U.S.
Developing interview protocols and survey instruments; recruiting participants; collecting, managing, and analyzing data.
Synthesizing lessons learned; and identifying decision-relevant technologies, barriers to adoption, and opportunities to improve PR tools and applications.
Supporting multi-method analysis (qualitative data coding, thematic analysis, and survey statistics.
Assist with Institutional Review Board compliance.
Preparing reports, publications, and outreach materials.
Disseminating results through a peer-to-peer knowledge exchange network, presentations, and other dissemination venues to inform PR technology development, training, and producer support.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:
Associate's Degree + 7 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 5 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in social science, range/agricultural science, or a related field.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to rural areas for data gathering and result dissemination.
Experience in conducting interviews and analyzing qualitative social science data.
Experience engaging with rural communities or agricultural stakeholders.

Successful applicants should be highly motivated and creative. They should be willing to work independently and as a part of a diverse and multi-disciplinary team.

Special Certification/Licensure:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

ID

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