Postdoctoral Scholar

Penn State University • University Park, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Straw Lab at Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in Turfgrass Science. This is a full-time, limited-term research appointment funded for one year from the date of hire with a good possibility of refunding. The Postdoctoral Scholar will lead applied field-based research focused on sustainable turfgrass management, with emphasis on research conducted on golf courses and athletic fields. The position integrates on-site experimentation, remote sensing tools, data analysis, and direct engagement with turfgrass industry stakeholders. Opportunities for peer-reviewed publication, grant collaboration, and professional development are central to the role. The position involves substantially full-time research and scholarship under the supervision of Dr. Chase Straw and provides professional development opportunities in preparation for an academic or research career.

Requirements

• Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in turfgrass science, agronomy, soil science, plant sciences, or a closely related field and be able to provide evidence that all requirements have been met for completion of the Ph.D. prior to the effective date of hire.
• Demonstrated experience in: Conducting applied field research in turfgrass systems
• Publishing peer-reviewed turfgrass research
• Engaging directly with turfgrass industry stakeholders
• Delivering professional turfgrass presentations
• Utilizing remote sensing or related technologies in turfgrass management research

Responsibilities

• Design and lead replicated field experiments in turfgrass systems
• Conduct on-site research on golf courses and athletic fields
• Integrate remote sensing and field-based technologies into applied research programs
• Analyze complex datasets and prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication
• Present research findings to professional and scientific audiences
• Communicate results directly with turfgrass industry stakeholders
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students involved in research
• Contribute to proposal development and collaborative research initiatives

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees