Data Scientist

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Department of Plant Science is seeking a Data Scientist to join GROW a dynamic research and extension network for integrated weed management. GROW conducts research on several IWM and ecological weed management tactics including cover crops and harvest-time weed seed control across a range of environments and is engaged in development of real-time weed and crop mapping systems using computer vision and artificial intelligence. 

Primary responsibilities will include analyzing data, writing, and publishing research results in scholarly peer-reviewed journals and extension publications. This responsibility requires management and analysis of large agronomic and weed ecology datasets generated from multi-state GROW research projects and long-term datasets generated from cropping systems experiments. The successful candidate will benefit from significant professional networking opportunities by playing a central role in the GROW project, which is national in scope.

This is a limited term position funded for one year from date of hire with good possibility of refunding. 

Location and mentoring structure: This position will be remote or located at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA and will be principally advised by John Wallace. Occasional travel to Beltsville, MD may be necessary to engage with scholarship generated within the USDA-ARS-BARC Sustainable Agricultural Systems Laboratory. 

Background and Qualifications: Minimum requirements for this position include a Bachelor's Degree and 1 or more years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. We are looking for candidates with excellent organizational and quantitative skills, a demonstrated record of research productivity documented with peer-reviewed publications, and expertise in any of the following areas: weed ecology and population dynamics, multi-tactic weed management, agronomic crop production, agroecology, data science, and statistics. A M.Sc. is required in Weed Science, Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Precision Agriculture, or related fields. Must pass a Federal background check.

This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks. 

Application materials: Applications will require a resume (CV), letter of interest, and names and contact information of three references. Potential candidates should contact Dr. John Wallace (jmw309@psu.edu) to express interest and apply online at https://hr.psu.edu/careers under REQ_0000061338.

Review of Applicants and Start Date: Review will begin immediately and will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. Starting date is negotiable.

Salary will commensurate with education and experience. Penn State offers competitive benefits to full-time employees, including medical, dental, vision and retirement plans, in addition to generous vacation time, sick time, and paid holidays.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.  

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$61,800.00 - $89,600.00

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure. 

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Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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