"Wisconet Researcher"

Job Details

Salary:
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Terminal (Fixed Term)

Job Profile: Researcher I

Job Summary:

Over the past two years the University of Wisconsin-Madison has led the expansion of the Wisconsin Environmental Mesonet, or Wisconet (wisconet.wisc.edu), a network of 80 weather and soil monitoring stations. We are looking to hire a motivated researcher to expand our capacity to provide new models and tools for weather-based risk support. The scientist will lead continued work in sustaining, and further developing, applications of Wisconet data including evaluating the performance of treatment-scheduling models for potato, vegetable, cranberry, and other specialty crops in Wisconsin and the correlation of weather with seasonal epidemiology to improve already existing models. Further work would include developing applications with scheduling tools, and outreach and education to producer and allied industry stakeholder groups across Wisconsin.

The researcher would also work with Wisconet staff and other UW scientists to use the unique soil environmental data to develop new indices and tools that highlight soil moisture status to help guide improved modeling of evapotranspiration, supporting improvements in irrigation scheduling across areas like the Central Sands. Other areas of need for improved data/modeling include improved cattle (animal) comfort indices and forecasts and spraying forecasts for timely (and safe) application of agrichemicals. The researcher will also lead development of new decision support tools geared to expand Wisconet’s reach to the public sector and further support county emergency management officials.

We are looking for a team player with a clear understanding of how to analyze and interpret numerical data.

This position is located at the Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI), we envision a world powered by sustainable and reliable energy that is affordable and accessible to everyone. As the home of collaborative energy research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, we connect and empower researchers to help solve one of the world’s greatest challenges: developing sustainable alternatives to meet society’s ever-growing need for power, fuels, and chemicals.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities and assists with publications
• Identifies concerns and recommends solutions to leadership
• Trains individuals and groups on equipment operations, research protocols, and techniques within a specialized laboratory or research area
• Assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
• Collects and analyzes basic research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures
• Assists with the development of research methodologies and procedures

Department:

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, Wisconsin Energy Institute

Compensation:

Starting salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Well-qualified applicants can anticipate a minimum starting salary of $60,000, with final salary based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

Required Qualifications:

• Prior experience using weather or other environmental data as part of research or other work activities
• Exposure to crop, horticulture, or livestock production operations through prior research or work experiences
• Prior experience with data analysis, statistics and modeling in R, Python, or similar

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in applications of weather data for agricultural decision-making
• Prior experience calculating growing degree days, chilling hours, and evapotranspiration
• Prior experience with public presentations and outreach to stakeholders
• Familiarity with data science and digital tools
• Advanced verbal and written public communication skills
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Effective management of time and resources

Education:

Master’s Degree required in Plant Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Entomology, Soil Science, Environmental Sciences, Meteorology, or related field preferred

How to Apply:

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Applicants should attach a cover letter and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process.

References will be requested of final candidates. All applicants will be notified after the search is complete and a candidate has been selected.

The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial criminal and/or caregiver background check.

Contact Information:

Heather Heimbecker, HR Manager, hheimbecker@wisc.edu