Postdoctoral Fellow- Remote Sensing of Plants

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: 2 months ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 31 May 2023

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Postdoctoral Fellow- Remote Sensing of Plants
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202300856AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Postdoctoral Fellows
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $50,000 - $53,000 plus applicable benefits.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for eligible employees in the following University benefit areas:https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ and https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ . To see the value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, visit our compensation calculator – https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/ .
Desired Start Date 09/01/2023
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 05/31/2023
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

The Department of Agricultural Biology is committed to excellence in the creation and dissemination of knowledge about insects, plant pathogens, and weeds in agricultural, natural, and urban ecosystems. Our mission is to enhance human well-being by improving ecosystem sustainability. In addition to generating new knowledge, we apply knowledge in entomology, plant pathology, and plant sciences to solving practical problems related to biotic and abiotic plant stress, integrated pest management, and ecosystem health. People in Agricultural Biology participate in and value cooperative and collaborative efforts with other units within the University, as well as with individual stakeholders and other organizations in Colorado and beyond. We hold ourselves to a standard of excellence in teaching, research, extension, and service and act according to the Principles of Community.
Position Summary
We are looking for a candidate to start in September 2023 or shortly after. This position focuses on understanding the interactions between plants and crops and biotic and abiotic stresses using drone hyperspectral remote sensing. We are broadly interested in addressing questions related to the detection of physiological and biochemical responses of plants to the impacts of droughts, pests and pathogens, and invasive species and weeds from gene to species and landscape scales. Our approach integrates various methods and tools including but not limited to remote sensing, spatial science, biochemical and genetic methods, biological modeling, and machine learning. Therefore, we are looking for candidates with a strong background in image processing, computer science, machine learning, and/or engineering.
This postdoctoral associate will have opportunities to join and collaborate with researchers in the Department of Agricultural Biology, College of Agricultural Sciences, NSF-ASCEND Biology Integration Institute, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They also have opportunities to learn and use our high-end drone hyperspectral (HySpex Mjolnir), multispectral, thermal, and LiDAR sensors and will be trained on drone operation with CSU Drone Center.
Required Job Qualifications
  • A PhD degree completed by start date in the field of remote sensing, geography, computer science, plant biology, plant ecophysiology, agriculture, environmental science, or related disciplines.
  • Demonstrated expertise with field data collection and laboratory chemical experiments
  • Experience with field data collection and laboratory chemical experiments
  • Strong background in remote sensing, image processing, and geospatial data collection and analysis.
  • The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by start date. Department will not sponsor visa related costs.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience in new computational, analytical, or machine-learning methods.
  • Knowledge in plant ecophysiology and biochemistry.
  • Track record of academic writing and publications.
  • A valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license in order to travel on occasion to various state-wide research sites .
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Research
Duty/Responsibility
  • Set up and conduct experiments, coordinate field and wet lab teams, operate drones to collect images, collect field data, analyze data, and write manuscripts in consultation and collaboration with PI Dr. Phuong Dao.
Percentage Of Time 80
Job Duty Category Supervision
Duty/Responsibility
  • Co-supervise graduate students and undergraduate assistants
Percentage Of Time 10
Job Duty Category Project Management
Duty/Responsibility
  • Help manage and keep track of the progress of projects in the group, conduct inventories of laboratory consumables and field supplies, and purchase supplies.
Percentage Of Time 10

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but for full consideration, all materials must be received by Sunday, May 31, 2023. Applicants should upload the following:
  • A cover letter addressing your qualifications;
  • CV; and
  • Contact information of three professional references, one of who is/was an immediate supervisor, who has firsthand knowledge of an applicant’s professional abilities. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates, and
  • Unofficial academic transcripts for degree verification.


    • For inquiries about the position, contact Search Chair Phuong.Dao@colostate.edu . For additional information about Colorado State University, consult the university’s website at www.colostate.edu .
    Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
    Search Contact Phuong.Dao@colostate.edu
    EEO Statement
    Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
    The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, titleix@colostate.edu .
    The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .
    The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, oeo@colostate.edu .
    Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
    Background Check Policy Statement
    Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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