Postdoctoral Research Associate

Washington State University • Prosser, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Washington State University's Precision Ag Lab and AgWeatherNet in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support research on Smart Farm technologies for tree fruit and irrigated field crops. The position is based at WSU's IAREC Prosser campus and focuses on wireless sensor networks, data-driven decision support, and automated control systems for crop stress management.

The successful candidate will conduct independent and collaborative research; design and implement field experiments; analyze sensor, weather, and imagery data; and develop models, data pipelines, and decision-support applications. The role includes collaboration with research and extension faculty, staff, students, growers, industry partners, and other stakeholders. The associate will contribute to scholarly publications and presentations, grant activities, student mentoring, project coordination, and extension and outreach. The position offers professional growth and mentoring in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

This is a full-time, temporary, 12-month appointment expected to run from January 4, 2027, through December 31, 2027. Renewal depends on the need for an extension and/or additional funding. The position is overtime eligible.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Biological or Agricultural Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Horticulture Engineering, or a related field by the time of hire.
• Demonstrated experience in sensor systems, wireless sensor networks/IoT, or data acquisition for agricultural or environmental monitoring, and data analysis using Python, R, or MATLAB, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct field research under variable conditions, communicate results effectively in writing and orally, and work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in at least one programming language for data processing, modeling, and analysis; Python is preferred.
• Hands-on experience deploying, calibrating, or troubleshooting sensors, data loggers, or embedded systems in the field.
• Ability to perform field work in orchards and field crops, including working outdoors in heat, cold, and variable weather and lifting equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Willingness to travel regularly to field sites across Central Washington, with occasional overnight travel.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by the time of hire, a valid driver's license and meet requirements under SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple project components, and meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with LoRaWAN or other low-power wide-area networks, microcontrollers such as Arduino, ESP32, or Raspberry Pi, and embedded firmware.
• Knowledge of plant-water relations, evapotranspiration, and irrigation scheduling methods.
• Experience with tree fruit such as apple, cherry, or pear; grapes; or irrigated row crops.
• Familiarity with UAV-based thermal or multispectral imaging, GIS, and remote-sensing data processing.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks such as scikit-learn, PyTorch, or TensorFlow; time-series modeling; cloud data platforms; RESTful API development; and web or mobile app development.
• Experience with irrigation hardware and automation, including drip, micro-sprinkler, center pivot, or variable-rate irrigation controllers.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publication, student mentoring, or extension/outreach to growers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on Smart Farm technologies for tree fruit and irrigated field crops, leading defined project components and contributing to team goals.
• Design and implement research experiments in commercial and research orchards, vineyards, and irrigated field crops.
• Design, deploy, and maintain low-power, long-range wireless sensor networks, including LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, cellular, and mesh systems, with attention to node placement, power management, and edge computing.
• Measure localized soil, plant, and weather conditions, extending approaches to frost, heat, nutrient, and disease stress as projects require.
• Implement precision, variable-rate, and closed-loop control of irrigation and crop-protection systems, including heat-stress cooling and frost protection, in drip, micro-sprinkler, and center-pivot systems.
• Integrate ground sensor data with UAV and satellite multispectral and thermal imagery.
• Analyze and interpret sensor, weather, and imagery time-series datasets.
• Develop AI/ML-driven and process-based models, such as fruit or berry temperature and crop phenology or growth-stage models, to predict stress onset and mitigation needs.
• Build cloud data pipelines and APIs connecting sensor networks, models, and control systems.
• Develop web and mobile applications and dashboards for real-time decision support and remote system control.
• Prepare manuscripts, reports, and presentations, including first-author peer-reviewed papers and presentations at national and international conferences.
• Assist with grant reporting and proposal development for federal, state, and commodity funders.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in field, lab, data analysis, and programming work.
• Coordinate project meetings and activities, including field-season planning, equipment and sensor logistics, and data management.
• Develop extension, outreach, and educational materials, including field-day demonstrations, workshops, extension publications, and app user guides.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, industry partners, and research teams, including growers, crop consultants, commodity groups, technology companies, and WSU faculty.

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance for employees and dependents
• Retirement benefits
• Deferred compensation
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts

What This Job Offers

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