Post-Doctoral Research Associate

About the Role

The Post-Doctoral Research Associate will support research and Extension activities focused on industrial hemp production, agronomy, sustainability, and the development of resilient production systems. This role involves assisting with the design, establishment, management, and evaluation of field and controlled-environment studies involving industrial hemp.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the design, establishment, management, and evaluation of field and controlled-environment studies involving industrial hemp.
• Conduct research that may include cultivar evaluation, planting and harvest management, crop rotation, soil and nutrient management, weed and disease management, propagation, conservation practices, and other factors affecting hemp productivity and quality.
• Support the implementation of TSU’s USDA-NRCS Agricultural Management and Production (AMP) fiber hemp project, including research and demonstration activities at TSU research stations.
• Coordinate activities with university and industry partners.
• Provide technical support to participating growers across Tennessee.
• Conduct field visits.
• Manage and collect data.
• Evaluate production practices.
• Assist with grower outreach, field demonstrations, and other project activities.
• Conduct statistical analyses.
• Interpret research results.
• Prepare technical and Extension materials.
• Collaborate with supervisor and project collaborators to prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
• Present findings at scientific conferences, field days, workshops, and producer meetings.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related field.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to travel to research sites across Tennessee.
• Experience working with soil–plant–atmosphere monitoring tools.
• Experience working with remote sensing tools.
• Strong programming and data analysis skills using Python, RStudio, or related programming languages.
• Experience working with water balance or energy balance models.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and complete tasks efficiently.
• Experience conducting field-based agricultural research in extreme weather conditions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a criminal background check.

Official transcripts for positions which require a post-secondary undergraduate degree, advanced degree and/or certification must be presented upon hire.

References Required: 2