Senior Scientist - Digital Agriculture

Hiring Department

Division of Plant Science & Technology

Job Description

The Senior Scientist position is responsible for enhancing the
research and extension capacity of Digital Agriculture Research and
Extension Center (DAREC). The position leads and conducts research
focused on digital agriculture technologies to advance smart
farming technologies and improve soil health, crop production, and
agricultural sustainability. The position is housed within DAREC
and the Division of Plant Science and Technology (DPST) at
University of Missouri (MU), in collaboration with the United
States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service
(USDA-ARS) Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit in
Columbia, MO. The position aligns with DAREC's mission of the
strategic plan of the College of Agriculture, Food & Natural
Resources, (CAFNR). The position will be supported by funding from
USDA-ARS[KC1.1][KC1.2] that is dedicated to support the research in
DAREC.

Key Responsitbilities

• Establish and execute field experiments to support digital

agriculture research and technology evaluation.

• Develop, evaluate, and deploy sensing, crop modeling,

decision-support, and AI systems that advance digital
agriculture.

• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team within the Digital

Agriculture Research and Extension Center (DAREC), including
university research and extension faculty, USDA-ARS scientists and
engineers, graduate, and undergraduate students.

• Lead research activities related to digital agricultural

technology development, field evaluation, data collection, data
analysis, and the publication and dissemination of research
findings.

• Develop competitive research/grant proposals and pursue

external funding opportunities to support program growth and
innovation.

• Coordinate DAREC research, teaching, and outreach activities to

advance the center’s mission and stakeholder engagement.

• Assist with the maintenance and enhancement of the DAREC

website and social media platforms to support communication and
outreach efforts.

• As with all positions, involvement with other duties and

responsibilities may be expected in order to support the mission
and purpose of the University of Missouri.

Shift

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in related/relevant area and at least 4 years of
experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be
acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. degree in Agricultural or Environmental sciences, Agriculture
or Biological engineering and other fields with relevant background
in field research, crop modelling, crop physiology, sensing
systems, and digital agriculture and other related fields by the
time of appointment.

Candidates will be evaluated on: Experience in field/
controlled environment research, crop growth and modeling,
precision agriculture or research using digital technologies, such
as remote sensing, machine learning, decision making and artificial
intelligence. A strong background in analyzing agricultural data
with machine learning algorithms is desired. The successful
candidate will need the ability to maintain a good working
relationship with other research fellows working in a large
research group and lab and research management experience.
Excellent communication skills, potential for collaborative
research, ability to work independently and cooperatively, advising
students on the research team, and strong writing skills for grant
proposals and journal articles are all important aspects of the
position.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $60,944 - $65,000 per year

Grade: GGS 011

University Title: Senior Scientist

Internal applicants can determine their University title by
accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this
position.

Other Information

Contact: Questions regarding the position should be directed
to Dr. Jianfeng Zhou at zhoujianf@missouri.edu, 573-882-2495.

Benefit Eligibility

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,
paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental
leave, paid caregiver leave, 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/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

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.

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