Postdoctoral Research Scientist & Grants Coord

Job Description

Job Description

TITLE: Post-Doctoral Research Scientist and Grants Coordinator 

DEPARTMENT: College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

REPORTS TO: Chair, School Agriculture and Natural Resources

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Post-Doctoral Research Scientist and Grants Coordinator provides research, grant coordination, and student mentoring support for grant-funded activities within the School of Agriculture, Communities, and Environment and the Center of Geospatial Intelligence and Environmental Security. The position supports research involving long-term agroecosystems, geospatial intelligence, GEO-AI, environmental security, hydrology, geomorphology, remote sensing, microclimate, soil, vegetation, and related agricultural and environmental sciences.

The position assists the Principal Investigator (PI), faculty, staff, and students with the implementation and coordination of multiple grant-funded research and education projects. Responsibilities include conducting and supporting research, managing geospatial and field data, developing scholarly publications and grant proposals, mentoring students, supporting experiential learning activities, and assisting with the integration of artificial intelligence and geospatial technologies into research and education.

This position is supported by Department of Energy and USDA-NEXTGEN grant funding for at least one year. Continued employment is subject to the availability of grant funding, satisfactory performance, and applicable University requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assist the PI with the implementation and coordination of multiple grant-funded research and education projects involving agriculture, environmental science, hydrology, ecosystems, remote sensing, geospatial technology, and GEO-AI.
• Conduct collaborative and independent research involving geospatial technology, GEO-AI, precision agriculture, environmental science, controlled-environment research, and related areas.
• Collect, manage, analyze, and interpret geospatial, vegetation, biomass, soil, water, runoff, flood, geomorphology, microclimate, and other field and secondary data for research and publication.
• Conduct periodic field research and data collection at research sites, including sites within the Appalachian region, and assist with summer camps and experiential learning activities for undergraduate and high school students.
• Assist the PI in developing, coordinating, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate research projects, experiential learning opportunities, and thesis projects involving GEO-AI, GIS, remote sensing, environmental science, and related disciplines.
• Develop and support outreach and engagement projects, student scholarship projects, career development activities, and domestic and international experiential learning opportunities designed to recruit and retain students in food, agriculture, natural resources, and related fields.
• Prepare and submit peer-reviewed manuscripts, professional presentations, research reports, and other scholarly materials.
• Assist in developing competitive grant proposals and identifying external funding opportunities that support research and educational priorities.
• Manage GIS laboratories, geospatial datasets, research records, and data management activities associated with multiple grant-funded projects.
• Assist the PI and research team with the procurement, maintenance, management, and appropriate use of research equipment and technology, including UAV drones, soil and water probes, multispectral cameras, LiDAR equipment, and related instrumentation.
• Assist with teaching geospatial courses, developing instructional materials, and mentoring student research and academic projects as assigned.
• Participate in University, college, and school seminars, workshops, student recruitment events, high school visits, professional activities, and meetings.
• Maintain compliance with applicable grant requirements, research protocols, data management plans, University policies, and other applicable regulations.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:  

• Knowledge of research methodologies related to environmental science, agroecosystems, soil, biomass, hydrology, water resources, and related disciplines.
• Knowledge of geospatial technologies, GIS, remote sensing, GEO-AI, spatial statistics, data analytics, and image analysis.
• Experience with geospatial mapping and data analysis using ArcGIS Pro.
• Experience with one or more of the following is preferred: Google Earth Engine, ERDAS IMAGINE, ENVI, R, Python, SWAT, pixel- and object-based image analysis, feature extraction, and related geospatial technologies.
• Knowledge of water quality assessment and experience training or mentoring students in water-related research.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare scholarly publications and professional presentations.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to develop competitive grant proposals and support grant administration.
• Strong written, oral, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with appropriate direction.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse student population and contribute to an inclusive academic and research environment.
• Ability to use and manage research equipment and technology relevant to assigned research activities.
• Ability to perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• May assist with the supervision, training, and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, student employees, and staff as assigned.  

OTHER DUTIES: 

• Additional duties to be performed as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Required:

• Ph.D. in Hydrology, Engineering, Geographic Information Science, Natural Resources, or a related field with a concentration or significant coursework/research experience in GIS, remote sensing, digital agriculture, geospatial science, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated research experience and evidence of scholarly activity, including the ability or potential to publish in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to competitive grant proposals.

Preferred:

• Experience with UAV/drone technology, GIS, remote sensing, GEO-AI, environmental modeling, hydrology, precision agriculture, or related research areas. Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students is also preferred.

Licensing and Certifications:

• No license or certification is required. UAV/Drone Pilot certification and Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) certification are preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work is primarily performed in an on-site academic, laboratory, and research environment and may require travel to field research locations. The position may require overnight travel and multiple-day field assignments. Work may involve exposure to outdoor conditions, including heat, cold, inclement weather, uneven terrain, and other environmental or physical hazards associated with field research. Appropriate safety precautions and protective equipment are required.
• The position may require the handling, transporting, and use of research equipment, including UAV drones, soil and water probes, multispectral and LiDAR cameras, and other field instrumentation. The position may occasionally require lifting, pushing, or pulling equipment or materials weighing more than 50 pounds.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply.

KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.