Careers at Virginia Tech

The Department of Biological Systems Engineering and the School of Animal Science at Virginia Tech seek a motivated and highly skilled Postdoctoral Associate for a research position emphasizing sensing, modeling, and analysis of livestock agroecosystems. The successful candidate would develop new hydrological and animal biosensing capabilities and develop and apply real-time models of livestock agroecosystems using sensed data to inform robotic/autonomous livestock management. The successful candidate will conduct independent research focused on developing, testing, or evaluating tools to monitor real-time changes in animal-environmental interactions. The primary duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to: 1) designing, conducting, analyzing, and presenting findings from experiments; 2) analyzing data, developing models, and evaluating analytics for relevant to sensors or related tools; 3) coordinating, structuring, and overseeing database development and maintenance relevant to experiments and technologies; 4) preparing reports and scientific publications; and 5) assisting with the development of grant applications.

The candidate should have experience in sensor development, testing, or evaluation, and a strong modeling background. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated skills in: sensor testing, sensor use, sensor development, and sensor evaluation; modeling and statistical analysis (Python, R, Matlab, etc.); as well as managing databases. Expertise in computer programming languages, cloud-based data management, high-throughput data collection technologies, and (or) machine learning and artificial intelligence is highly desirable. The position requires excellent written and oral communication skills with target audiences ranging from the general public to the scientific community. It is essential that the applicant be able to maintain high productivity while working either independently or cooperatively with members of the Virginia Tech community, as well as external collaborators. The successful candidate is expected to lead the preparation of scientific manuscripts to be submitted to peer-reviewed journals.

Annual salary will depend on qualifications of the successful candidate, ranging from $48,000 - 55,000. Interested candidates should send a letter of application detailing their suitability for and interest in the position, a comprehensive curriculum vita with contact information (names, addresses, and phone numbers) of at least two references who may be contacted by the search committee. Send this information as a pdf file to: Zach Easton (zeaston@vt.edu) or Robin White (rrwhite@vt.edu). Applications will be accepted until December 04, 2022 or until the position is filled.

Ph.D. in a relevant science or engineering field awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of the appointment with a minimum of one year of eligibility remaining; Experience in sensor development, testing or evaluation; Experience in model development and application; Excellent written and oral communications skills; Strong publication record; Experience with statistical analysis or data analytics

Experience working with animals in a research setting; Experience managing databases; Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate researchers; Evidence of ability to procure extramural funding

Restricted

Commensurate with Experience

12/04/2022

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.