Career Center

Postdoctoral Associate - Gore/Sun Labs

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and home to Cornell University's second largest population of students, faculty and staff. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being. CALS is fundamentally invested in improving the lives of people, their environments and their communities both in New York state and around the world.

The CALS School of Integrative of Plant Science (SIPS) encompasses five fields: Horticulture, Plant Biology, Plant Breeding & Genetics, Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology, and Soil and Crop Sciences. Combined there are 100+ faculty, ~200 undergraduate majors, 200+ graduate students in six fields, and 600+ other employees located in Ithaca, Geneva, and other satellite locations across New York State. The School offers the multidisciplinary undergraduate major in the Plant Sciences and is also home to the Agricultural Sciences major. School faculty also contribute to the Biology, Global Development, and Viticulture & Enology majors.

Position Function:

The School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate to conduct interdisciplinary studies combining plant phenomics and genomics. The position is in the Sections of Plant Breeding and Genetics (Gore Lab) and Soil and Crop Science (Sun Lab). The successful applicant is expected to integrate physiological and environmental processes with genetic data to understand and forecast plant performance at different spatial and temporal scales. A special focus of this position is on the development and application of crop growth models from remote sensing data (e.g., Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Lidar, Hyperspectral) to enable genetic dissection and prediction of phenotypes related to plant productivity and adaptation to environmental changes. Other responsibilities of this position include trips to collaborator field sites and presenting original scientific results at meetings and in publications.

Anticipated Division of Time:

Analyzing Data 60%

Writing 25%

Mentoring 10%

Field Research 5%

Position requirements:

• Ph.D. with research experience in an ecology, agriculture, climate, remote sensing, or computation-related field.
• Proficiency in collecting and analyzing remote sensing datasets.
• Extensive skills in big-data analysis, data mining, and statistics.
• Programing experience in C, Matlab, R or Python.
• Experience with plant physiology and phenotyping technologies.
• Independence and project leadership skills.
• Demonstrated contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a strong publication record.

Preferred qualifications:

• More than 3 years of experience in remote sensing, crop simulation models, or genetic analysis of genotype-by-environment interactions
• Proficiency in developing and implementing complex computational pipelines on Linux operating systems and high-performance computing clusters.
• A record of publication in the field of remote sensing and physiological modeling.
• Experience in the use of APSIM/DSSAT models.

Supervision Exercised:

The position will include some supervision of undergraduate and graduate students involved in research on the project.

To apply:

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring range for this title is $56,484

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

Pay Range:

Pay Ranges:

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience.

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

• Unique applicable skills.

Employment Assistance:

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also visit the office of Workforce Recruitment and Retention Monday - Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. to use a dedicated workstation to complete an online application.

Notice to Applicants:

EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.