Post Doctoral Research Associate Data Science in Precision Agriculture

Lubbock

42780BR

Plant and Soil Science

Position Description

Performs specialized Post Doctoral work in the planning, conducting and/or supervision of original research. Responsible for participating in a research project associated with PhD studies and the interpretation of the results of publication. Work is performed under supervision of graduate faculty members with evaluation based on accomplishment of assigned objectives and overall effectiveness of project. May supervise research and student assistants.

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available in the Crop Ecophysiology and Precision Agriculture Laboratory at Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX). This position focuses on the application of remote sensing and data science in precision agriculture to improve the understanding and management of crop growth and water use under variable field conditions. The incumbent will integrate aerial and satellite imagery, in-field sensor data, and environmental measurements to support research in crop water stress monitoring, yield prediction, and site-specific management. The position involves designing experiments, performing statistical and geospatial analyses, developing machine learning models, and contributing to decision-support tools for sustainable crop production. The successful candidate will also mentor students, collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams, and disseminate research findings through publications, reports, and conference presentations.

About the University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the "Hub City" because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock's Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

About the Department and/or College

DAVIS COLLEGE
Davis College includes the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources Management, Plant and Soil Science, and Veterinary Sciences along with multiple research centers and institutes. The College has over 100 tenure-track faculty, 2747 undergraduate and 519 graduate students, numerous other staff employees, and generated approximately $16 million in extramural research funding.

The Department:
The PSS Department is a comprehensive academic unit conducting research and offering coursework and programs in several areas of plant and soil sciences. There are 36 full-time faculty members and a student body consisting of approximately 180 undergraduate and 140 graduate students. B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. level degrees are offered in Plant and Soil Science. Additionally, distance education courses and four certificate programs are offered. The department is research-intensive, while fostering strong teaching expectations and commitments. Students in the department are educated to meet the challenge of using soil, water, and plant resources for sustainable production and environmental quality.

Major/Essential Functions

* Design field experiments and perform statistical analyses related to plant nitrogen status, precision nitrogen management, crop water stress monitoring and irrigation optimization.
* Collect, organize, and analyze aerial (UAV) and satellite imagery in conjunction with ground-truth plant and soil measurements.
* Develop and apply data science and machine learning techniques to predict crop water stress, plant nitrogen status, yield, and related physiological parameters.
* Develop into a key contact responsible for coordinating data collection, organization, and analysis across multiple projects involving crop, soil, and environmental monitoring
* Advise and train graduate and undergraduate students in spatial data analysis, image processing, and data-driven agricultural decision-making.
* Prepare technical reports, author scientific publications, and present research findings at professional conferences and stakeholder meetings.

Required Qualifications

PhD in area of project specialization. Knowledge of modern research practices, the methods, resources, and standards thereof. Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities. Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions and other outcomes. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with other employees and the public. Ability to plan and allocate the workload of employees, providing direct training and supervision as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. in agronomy, or crop science. Demonstrated experience with statistical modeling, remote sensing and image analysis, and programming in Python, or R. Familiarity with machine learning and AI methods for agricultural applications. Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Safety Information

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Does this position work in a research laboratory?

No

Special Instructions to Applicants

This is a two-year position with an available start date of November 15, 2025; however, the start date can be flexible. Applicants must utilize the Texas Tech University job portal to apply. Inquiries can be sent to Dr. Wenxuan Guo (wenxuan.guo@ttu.edu). Please use "Data Science in Precision Agriculture" in the subject line.

Required Attachments

Cover Letter, Research Statement, Resume / CV

Job Type

Full Time

Pay Basis

Monthly

Job Family

Research

Job Sub Family

Researchers & Scientists

Annualized Pay Range

$48,000 - $63,700 - $78,400

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan.

Travel Required

Up to 25%

Shift

Day

Grant Funded?

Yes

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.