Research Associate​/Fellow; Crop Systems Modeler & Remote Sensing Specialist

Position Overview

Requisition Number S5051P. Home Org Name Crop Soil and Environmental Sciences;
Division Name College of Agriculture.

Position Title:

Research Associate/Fellow (Crop Systems Modeler & Remote Sensing Specialist). Job Class Code HA02 A/B/C, HA03 A/B/C. Appointment Status:
Full-time. Limited Term:
Yes;
Length: 1 year; continuation contingent upon funding and performance.

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

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.

• 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.

• Life-Changing Impact:
  Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence:
  We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We’re Here for You:
  Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama:
  The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone:
  Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

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 the same fields; 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 the same fields; 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 the same fields; no experience required.
• Research Fellow II: PhD from an accredited institution in the same fields; 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 the same…