Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: August 21, 2025
If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.
Available Title(s): 306-YN_FACULTY – Postdoctoral Research Associate
Business Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate
Employee Type: Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)
Position Term: 12 Month
Position Details:
Job Description Summary:
Washington State University’s Agroecosystems Modeling group seeks applications for a postdoctoral associate with interest in evaluating climate change impacts and adaptation alternatives for US agriculture and water resources. The position will be based in Pullman, WA with the Department of Biological Systems Engineering but involves participation in national-scale projects. The position offers the opportunity for all-around professional growth by working in a trans-disciplinary environment, with close collaborations with colleagues from multiple universities across the US, spanning multiple colleges/departments. Opportunities to network with a diverse group of stakeholders will also be available. The experience will focus on research advancements as well translation of research to practice to make a meaningful impact.
Summary of Duties:
Develop/apply models that help better understand and manage for weather/climate related risks for agriculture (with an emphasis on specialty crops) and water resources management. Assimilate remotely-sensed data into models and decision support frameworks. Explore visualization and communication mechanisms that enhance utility of information for a diverse stakeholder group including producers, ag professionals, and federal/state/local agencies.
Required Qualifications:
- PhD in Civil/Environmental/Agricultural/BioSystems Engineering, Applied Math/Statistics, or related field
- Prior work at the intersection of climate, agriculture, and natural resources management
- Prior work assimilating satellite imagery data into models
- Experience with the Linux operating system, high-performance computing, cloud computing, and parallel programming paradigms
- Strong publication record in reputable avenues
- Strong writing skills
- Strong skills in model development, data analytics, machine learning, and visualization
- Proficient in platforms/tools/languages such as Python, Matlab, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, version-control, C++ processing large datasets
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with transdisciplinary work in close engagement with experts from multiple disciplines
- A good understanding of the US irrigated agricultural settings
- Research experience with extreme weather impacts assessments
- Prior Experience with modeling for crop variety selection
- Prior experience with grant writing
Additional Information:
Area/College:
College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
Department Name:
Biological Systems Engineering
City, State, Zip:
Pullman, WA, 99164-6120
Department Link:
Departmental Lab Link:
https://bsyse.wsu.edu/people/faculty/wsu-profile/kirtir/
Annual Salary:
$70,000.00 – $75,000.00
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.
WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.
For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for Faculty visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf.
Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.
Overtime Eligibility:
This position is eligible for overtime.
FTE:
100%
Temporary End Date:
This is a twelve-month, fixed-term, temporary position with the possibility of annual renewal for up to three (3 years contingent upon satisfactory performance, interest, and availability of funds.
Background Check:
This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.
Application Instructions:
Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application. Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.
Required Documents:
1) Resume
2) Recommendation Letters (2 to 3 minimum
3) Cover Letter
Time Type:Full time
Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.
WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.
Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.
More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/
