The Esker and Grozinger Laboratories in the Departments of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology and Entomology at The Pennsylvania State University are looking for a motivated candidate to join our team as a Postdoctoral Scholar in the area of digital and precision agriculture and biodiversity monitoring. Candidates will have the opportunity to take a lead role in diverse projects that relate to their interests, including designing automated monitoring and sensing tools for insects, plants, and pathogens, developing integrative data management systems, conducting landscape-scale ecological modeling, and/or designing decision support tools. The candidate will be co-supervised and provided with excellent professional development and mentoring opportunities in the agricultural and data sciences.
Education and Experience:
Qualified candidates are required to have and provide evidence of a Ph.D. at time of appointment. Motivated candidates should possess strong knowledge in one of the areas of our programs with excellent quantitative skills, quantitative methodology, and experience in engineering, computational science, and/or data science. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge and expertise in computational and statistical methods. Proficiency with programming languages like R or Python is essential. Experience in applications of machine learning or hierarchical statistical modeling is a plus. Candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with and train in programs such as the Penn State Digital Agriculture and Emerging Technologies Initiative, Center for Pollinator Research, Insect Biodiversity Center, Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Food, Environmental Sciences, Institute for Computational and Data Sciences’ RISE program and Center for Artificial Intelligence Foundations and Engineered Systems.
Practical communication skills are necessary as our research has a vital collaborative and outreach component, working closely with core agricultural stakeholders and academic institutions. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to teaching and mentoring efforts in our programs. Penn State offers numerous opportunities for professional development in these areas, including the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence.
Interested candidates should send inquiries about this position to either:
Dr. Paul Esker, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, at pde6@psu.edu, or +1-814-865-0680.
Dr. Christina Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology, Department of Entomology, at cmgrozinger@psu.edu, or +1-814-865-2214.
Application Information:
For full consideration, applicants need to submit the following: a cover letter that addresses their background, experience, and interest in the position, a CV, and the names and contact information of three references. Review of applications will begin November 15, 2022. The position(s) will remain open until filled. This is a limited-term appointment funded for one year from date of hire with excellent possibility of refunding.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.
The position will be at the University Park campus of Penn State, within the town of State College. The 13-square-mile campus is home to more than 46,000 graduate, professional, and undergraduate students and more than 12,000 full time employees (faculty and staff). University Park is pedestrian and bike-friendly and features a mix of historic classroom buildings, modern architecture, and beautiful landscaping, including the Arboretum at Penn State which includes a 4+ acre Pollinator and Bird Garden. State College is a quintessential college town with a diverse population that offers residents many of the amenities of a larger urban environment, including a vibrant athletics program and performing arts community.
State College is surrounded by multiple state parks which provide ample opportunity for outdoor recreation, and is within a few hours’ drive of New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. State College is consistently ranked among the nation’s most livable cities. Additional information can be found at the Penn State Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (https://www.research.psu.edu/opa)
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Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.