Post-Doctoral Research Associate, ESS

About the position

The Covey Lab at Skidmore College seeks a postdoctoral research associate to support the development, testing, and scaling of distributed soil sampling methods in partnership with The Soil Inventory Project (www.tsip.org). The researcher will work at the intersection of field sampling, laboratory analysis, and regional network development to advance TSIP's mission of making soil health monitoring more accessible and equitable. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in field work, data analysis, and publishing as well as enthusiasm for working with undergraduate researchers, farmers and producers across industries, and our non-profit partner organizations to address challenges in sustainable agriculture. The postdoctoral associate will play a key role in TSIP's expanding network of Regional Agroecological Climate Hubs (ReACH). These hubs serve as collaborative knowledge centers providing equipment and expertise in support of farmer-led distributed soil sampling efforts. The researcher will work collaboratively with students, Covey Lab staff, and TSIP's growing professional staff, while helping to develop new sampling tools and strengthening the ReACH network infrastructure. An initial appointment is for one year with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance and continued funding.

Responsibilities

• Developing, testing, and scaling distributed sampling tools with an emphasis on distributed bulk density and soil health assessment tools
• Developing scalable soil health sampling protocols that provide actionable information to producers across multiple agricultural land uses
• Supporting the establishment and operation of Regional Agroecological Climate Hubs through collaboration with non-profit partners and associate technical assistance providers
• Working with external laboratory partners to develop protocols in line with TSIP’s Goal Based Sampling program
• Contributing to grant proposals, peer-reviewed publications, and producer reports
• Training and mentoring students in soil sampling and analysis methods
• Collaborating with TSIP staff to integrate field sampling protocols with data management and automated reporting systems
• Providing regular feedback to our technical development team on software products

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agriculture, or related field
• Demonstrated experience with soil sampling and laboratory analysis methods
• Strong background in field research and experimental design
• Experience with data management and quality control procedures
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualization
• Track record of successful collaboration in interdisciplinary research teams
• Evidence of effective project management and organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with northeastern agricultural systems
• Familiarity with soil carbon measurement and monitoring techniques
• Knowledge of grazing systems and management
• Background in agricultural stakeholder engagement
• Experience training and mentoring students
• Publication record in relevant fields
• Grant writing experience

Benefits

• Salary of $65,000
• Funding available to support field work, laboratory analysis, publication, and travel expenses