Postdoctoral Research Associate - Organic Hazelnut Systems & Agroforestry

Job Description

Job Description

Rodale Institute invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support and expand its Perennial Research Program, with a focus on advancing organic hazelnut ( Corylus avellana ) production and agroforestry systems in the Northeastern United States. The successful candidate will lead and coordinate applied field-based research evaluating the horticultural, environmental, and economic performance of established hazelnut alley-cropping systems and trials of newly released regionally adapted hazelnut cultivars.

Core research activities will include assessing alley-cropping strategies to improve orchard establishment and productivity by integrating multispectral aerial imaging and field measurements for multispecies stress monitoring. Responsibilities also include 
quantifying soil health outcomes carbon sequestration potential, evaluating cultivar performance, developing enterprise budgets, and translating research findings through outreach and extension to growers and stakeholders.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of horticultural science, soil science, agroforestry, and high-throughput phenotyping, contributing science-based solutions with direct relevance to farmers, policymakers, and industry partners across the region. This is a 2-year position contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding availability. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct and coordinate applied research within existing field experiments focused on hazelnut orchard establishment, alley cropping systems, cultivar trials, soil health, and drone-based aerial phenotyping
• Support the development of enterprise budgets and economic models for small- and mid-scale organic hazelnut production systems in Pennsylvania and the Northeastern United States
• Integrate multispectral aerial imaging with ground-based measurements to model tree stress, weed biomass, and intercrop performance within hazelnut alley-cropping systems
• Perform multivariate analyses of horticultural, soil, aerial imaging, and environmental datasets using R and Python
• Collaborate closely with researchers and partners at universities, non-profit organizations, and grower networks, including expertise in plant breeding, weed science, soil health, and agroforestry
• Contribute to grant reporting, project coordination, and proposal development to support the growth of the Perennial Research Program
• Translate research outcomes into grower-facing materials, including fact sheets, presentations, and extension publications while supporting field days, workshops, webinars, and grower meetings
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present results at academic and industry conferences
• Supervise interns and work closely with Research Technicians and Farm Operations staff to coordinate research orchard maintenance and data collection

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Horticulture, Agronomy, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Ecology, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated experience designing and conducting high-quality, applied field research in agricultural or ecological systems
• Strong quantitative skills and experience analyzing large, high-dimensional datasets
• High proficiency in R statistical software, mixed linear modeling, and data visualization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage both scientific and grower audiences
• An enthusiastic, cooperative, and flexible mindset, ready to take on new challenges with a positive attitude.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with drone-based data collection and/or processing of aerial imagery for agricultural or ecological applications
• Experience using Python for data analysis, image processing, and modeling, including reproducible computational workflows and environment management
• Experience with the development of enterprise budgets, farm economics, or life-cycle assessment (LCA) for agricultural or natural resource systems
• Demonstrated record of research leadership, including mentoring, collaboration, or initiative-taking within interdisciplinary or peer research communities.

How to Apply

• Please submit a single PDF containing:
  • Cover letter describing research interests and relevant experience
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Contact information for three professional references.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled
• This position reports to Dr. Richard Tegtmeier, Orchard Scientist

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.

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