Postdoctoral Associate

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join an interdisciplinary research team working on innovative approaches to soil hydraulic characterization, environmental sensing, and hydrologic modeling. The position will support a USDA-NRCS funded project focused on improving soil hydraulic characterization through novel sensing, modeling, and data integration. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty members in the Environmental Soil Science group and integrate field observations, sensor networks, remote sensing data, and process-based models to improve understanding of soil-water dynamics, root water uptake, drought resilience, and ecosystem responses to climate variability. The candidate will be expected to disseminate their work through presentations at annual meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals. The postdoctoral associate is expected to train and supervisor work completed by students and research assistants involved in the project. General maintenance of laboratory facility and equipment.

Requirements

• PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of the appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative analysis of soil-water processes.
• Strong computational and data analysis skills using R, Python, MATLAB, or related platforms.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications commensurate with career stage.
• Effective communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with soil hydraulic characterization, infiltration measurements, soil moisture monitoring, or environmental sensor networks.
• Experience with hydrologic, ecohydrological, or vadose zone modeling (e.g., HYDRUS, SWAT, ParFlow, or related models).
• Experience acquiring, processing, and analyzing environmental data from proximal and remote sensing technologies.
• Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary research team.
• Demonstrated interest in developing independent research directions and pursuing external funding opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Integrate field observations, sensor networks, remote sensing data, and process-based models to improve understanding of soil-water dynamics, root water uptake, drought resilience, and ecosystem responses to climate variability.
• Disseminate work through presentations at annual meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Train and supervise work completed by students and research assistants involved in the project.
• General maintenance of laboratory facility and equipment.

Benefits

• Professional development opportunities
• University shared governance participation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree