Post Doctoral Fellow

The Postdoctoral fellow will advance cropping systems research at the University of Missouri Plant Science Department in collaboration with the USDA ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit. This is a two-year position focused on advancing crop production and physiology through field experimentation, computation (statistics and machine learning), and process-based models. The successful candidate will have an inquisitive nature with a deep knowledge of many components listed in this posting and a strong desire for continual learning and growth professionally. We invite candidates to submit an application if able to start in the next three months and are excited to work at the intersection of genotype x environment x management.

Responsibilities:

The fellow will work to identify crop and system-based strategies that advance knowledge and discovery to minimize stress and maximize economic and environmental health. Specifically, this will be achieved through use of data from the past 5 years and on-going across several Missouri experiments. Research topics include: 1) productivity and economics of intensified crop rotations, 2) management decisions based on crop phenology, 3) physiological and growth response to late-season stressors, and 4) plausibility of double-crop systems. The fellow is expected to write four papers, with three accepted and one submitted, during these two years. In addition to publishing in refereed journals, the fellow will develop lay materials to transfer key findings to farmers and agribusiness.

Minimum Qualification:

PhD, by time of appointment. Candidates need to have a PhD in agronomy, agroecology, ecology, soil science, natural resources, environmental science, agricultural engineering, statistics, data science, or similar discipline.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

Candidates need to have excellent written and oral communication skills in English. They must be able to work effectively independently, in teams, and across disciplines.

Candidates must have an excellent understanding of the processes underlying plant, soil, and environment within an agricultural setting.

Candidates must have a strong command of data synthesis, modeling, and/or machine learning. It is beneficial to have experience in several of the following areas: data processing, statistical analyses, R software, regression models, process-based models such as DSSAT or APSIM, Bayesian statistical analysis, geospatial data, and machine learning methods. No candidate is expected to have proficiency in all of these computer-based skills. Rather, the ideal candidate will be a well-rounded individual with a high aptitude to learn during the fellowship.

Apply online at https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings, Job ID# 59893.

To apply, submit a single PDF file that includes 1) a letter of interest describing how your skills and interests make you a strong candidate for this position; 2) a current CV; and 3) contact information for three professional references.

Closing Date:

Applications will be received until midnight (CST) June 30, 2026. However, review of applications will begin 15 days after the job was posted.

Contact:

Reach out with questions about this postdoctoral fellowship to Dr. Andre Froes de Borja Reis, Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist in Soybean Agronomy, areis@missouri.edu or 573-882-4771.

Visa Sponsorship Information:
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.