**Position Details** Position Information **Requisition Number** S5051P **Home Org Name** Crop Soil and EnvironmentalSciences **Division Name** College of Agriculture **Position Title** Research Associate/Fellow (Crop Systems Modeler & Remote Sensing Specialist) **Job Class Code** HA02 A/B/C, HA03 A/B/C **Appointment Status** Full-time **Part-time FTE** **Limited Term** Yes **Limited Term Length** 1 year; continuation contingent upon funding and performance in the position **Job Summary** We seek a dynamic scientist/practitioner to lead development of the next generation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for major row crops—including cotton, corn, peanut, wheat, and soybean—by integrating crop simulation models (e.g.,DSSAT ,APSIM ) with remote sensing (multispectral/hyperspectral, and advanced data science methods. The successful candidate will design and execute modeling–sensing pipelines to optimize nutrient, water, and agronomic decisions at plot, field, and regional scales; validate recommendations through field trials; and translate results into actionable guidance for producers, consultants, and stakeholders. **This is a one-year limited term position with the possibility of annual extensions depending on performance and funding.** **Essential Functions** + Lead the development, calibration, validation, and application ofDSSAT andAPSIM (and related models) for cotton, corn, peanut, wheat, and soybean under diverse soils, climates, and management systems. + Integrate remote sensing (satellite, airborne,UAV ), hyperspectral/multispectral data, and proximal sensors into modeling workflows for crop status assessment, stress detection, and yield forecasting. + Build data fusion pipelines (e.g., combining model outputs with imagery, weather, soil, and management data) to deliver prescriptive BMPs for nutrient and water management, planting decisions, and risk mitigation. + Develop decision-support tools (scripts, dashboards, APIs) that translate complex analyses into user-friendly insights for producers and advisors. + Apply statistical learning/ML (e.g., feature engineering, spatiotemporal modeling, Bayesian calibration, ensemble methods) to improve prediction accuracy and uncertainty quantification. + Disseminate research findings through presentations at national and international conferences. + Prepare manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. **Why Work at Auburn?** + **Life-Changing Impact** : Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world. + **Culture of Excellence** : We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education. + **We’re Here for You** : Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance. + **Sweet Home Alabama** : The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches. + **A Place for Everyone** : Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged. Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle! Minimum Qualifications **Minimum Qualifications** **Research Associate I:** Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required. **Research Associate II:** Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required and 2 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position. **Research AssociateIII :** Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required and 4 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position. **Research Fellow I:** PhD from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required. **Research Fellow II:** PhD from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required and 2 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position. **Research FellowIII :** PhD from an accredited institution in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Remote Sensing, or a closely related field; no experience required and 4 years of experience in research practices and protocols relevant to the position. Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications **Minimum Skills and Abilities** The successful candidate is expected to be highly organized, personable, enthusiastic,able to work both independently and with others within a research team, and have excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills. **Minimum Technology Skills** **Minimum License and Certifications** A valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one prior to employment. Desired Qualifications **Desired Qualifications** Experience in crop models such asDSSAT andAPSIM . Expertise inUAV operations. Familiarity withGIS (ArcGIS/QGIS ), geospatial libraries (GDAL , Rasterio), and cloud geospatial platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine). Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and R. Posting Detail Information **Salary Range** $41,000 - $98,160 **Job Category** Agricultural/Veterinary Medicine **Working Hours if Non-Traditional** **City position is located in:** Auburn **State position is located:** Alabama **List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position** **Posting Date** 02/03/2026 **Closing Date** **Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement** It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit theirwebsite (https://auburn.edu/administration/eoc/) to learn more. **Special Instructions to Applicants** Please utilize the attachment feature in the online application system and attach a cover letter, complete resume/curriculum vitae, and representative manuscripts. Only complete application materials will be accepted for review. **Quick Link for Internal Postings** https://www.auemployment.com/postings/57877 **Documents Needed to Apply** **Required Documents** 1. Resume 2. Cover Letter 3. Curriculum Vitae 4. Minimum of One Working Paper **Optional Documents**