Postdoctoral Research Associate

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

December 6, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

306-YY_FACULTY - Postdoctoral Research Associate

Business Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)12 Month

The Opportunity:

The Washington State University (WSU) Precision Ag Lab and AgWeatherNet in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS), at Washington State University seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support research on Smart Farm technologies for tree fruit and irrigated field crops. This position will be located at WSU IAREC Prosser campus. The work emphasizes wireless sensor networks, data-driven decision support, and automated control systems for crop stress management. The successful candidate will conduct innovative research, collaborate with multidisciplinary research and extension faculty, staff, students, growers, and industry partners, contribute to scholarly publications and presentations, and assist with grant-related activities. This position provides opportunities for professional growth and mentoring within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate's primary responsibilities include:

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on Smart Farm technologies for tree fruit and irrigated field crops, leading defined project components while contributing to team-wide goals.
• Design and implement research experiments in commercial and research orchards, vineyards and irrigated field crops, including:
  • Designing, deploying and maintaining low-power, long-range wireless sensor networks (LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, cellular, mesh), with attention to node placement, power management and edge computing.
  • Measuring localized soil-plant-weather; extending approaches to frost, heat, nutrients and disease stress as projects require.
  • Implementing precision, variable-rate and closed-loop control of irrigation and crop-protection systems (e.g., heat-stress cooling, frost protection) in drip, micro-sprinkler and center-pivot systems.
  • Integrating ground sensor data with UAV and satellite multispectral and thermal imagery.
• Analyze and interpret data from sensor(s), weather and imagery time-series datasets, including:
  • Developing AI/ML-driven and process-based models (e.g., Fruit/berry temperature, Crop Phenology/growth stages) to predict stress onset and mitigation needs.
  • Building cloud data pipelines and APIs that connect sensor networks, models and control systems.
  • Developing web and mobile apps and dashboards for real-time decision support and remote system control.
• Prepare manuscripts, reports and presentations, including first-author peer-reviewed papers and talks at national and international conferences (e.g., ASABE).
• 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, such as 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: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Faculty and Total Compensation. For information or questions about Benefits, please contact HRS Benefits at 509-335-4521.

Annual Salary: $62,232 -$70,000 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range.

This is a full time (100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible.

Appointment Duration: This is a temporary position expected to start on January 4, 2027 and end on December 31, 2027. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biological/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 in data analysis using Python, R or MATLAB, as 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 (Python preferred) for data processing, modeling and analysis.
• 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 up to [50 lb] of equipment.
• Willingness to travel regularly to field sites across Central WA, with occasional overnight travel.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards. 
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple project components and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: May be eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC): The Washington State University, Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (WSU Prosser IAREC) is the focal point for the University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) research, extension, and plant certification programs that address the concerns of irrigated agriculture.

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resources (CAHNRS)
Department Name: AgWeatherNet
Location: Prosser, WA

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

All candidates, documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Contact: For questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact Christine Cromar, [email protected].

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Union Representation: This position is represented exclusively by Postdocs United/United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Information regarding the Union and the CBA is available on the WSU Labor Relations website.

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].

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