"Research Associate/Fellow (Crop Systems Modeler & Remote Sensing Specialist)"

Job Summary

We seek a dynamic scientist/practitioner to lead development of the next generation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for major row crops-including cotton, corn, peanut, wheat, and soybean-by integrating crop simulation models (e.g., DSSAT, APSIM) with remote sensing (multispectral/hyperspectral, and advanced data science methods. The successful candidate will design and execute modeling-sensing pipelines to optimize nutrient, water, and agronomic decisions at plot, field, and regional scales; validate recommendations through field trials; and translate results into actionable guidance for producers, consultants, and stakeholders.

This is a one-year limited term position with the possibility of annual extensions depending on performance and funding.

Essential Functions

• Lead the development, calibration, validation, and application of DSSAT and APSIM (and related models) for cotton, corn, peanut, wheat, and soybean under diverse soils, climates, and management systems.
• Integrate remote sensing (satellite, airborne, UAV), hyperspectral/multispectral data, and proximal sensors into modeling workflows for crop status assessment, stress detection, and yield forecasting.
• Build data fusion pipelines (e.g., combining model outputs with imagery, weather, soil, and management data) to deliver prescriptive BMPs for nutrient and water management, planting decisions, and risk mitigation.
• Develop decision-support tools (scripts, dashboards, APIs) that translate complex analyses into user-friendly insights for producers and advisors.
• Apply statistical learning/ML (e.g., feature engineering, spatiotemporal modeling, Bayesian calibration, ensemble methods) to improve prediction accuracy and uncertainty quantification.
• Disseminate research findings through presentations at national and international conferences.
• Prepare manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Minimum Qualifications

Research Associate I: Master's degree from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required.

Research Associate II: Master's degree from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required and 2 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position.

Research Associate III: Master's degree from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required and 4 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position.

Research Fellow I: PhD from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required.

Research Fellow II: PhD from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required and 2 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position.

Research Fellow III: PhD from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required and 4 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position.

Minimum Skills and Abilities

The successful candidate is expected to be highly organized, personable, enthusiastic, able to work both independently and with others within a research team, and have excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Minimum License and Certifications

A valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to employment.

Desired Qualifications

Experience in crop models such as DSSAT and APSIM. Expertise in UAV operations. Familiarity with GIS (ArcGIS/QGIS), geospatial libraries (GDAL, Rasterio), and cloud geospatial platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine). Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and R.

Salary Range

$41,000 - $98,160

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please utilize the attachment feature in the online application system and attach a cover letter, complete resume/curriculum vitae, and representative manuscripts. Only complete application materials will be accepted for review.

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