Postdoctoral Research Associate (tamus)

Job Description

Agency

Department

Contribute to a project integrating satellite imagery, nutrition modeling, and precision livestock technologies to enhance the performance and sustainability of grazing beef cattle. This initiative aims to develop decision-support tools that leverage satellite remote sensing, machine learning, and animal sensors to optimize grazing management and improve environmental and economic outcomes.

Job Responsibilities:

• develop and validate models using satellite data combined with machine learning algorithms to estimate forage mass, crude protein, and fiber composition of pastures;
• combine forage models with animal sensors, such as GPS and virtual fencing collars, to evaluate strategies for optimizing pasture management and improving animal performance;
• integrate data from forage models and sensors with dynamic nutritional models to develop and deploy decision-support tools for grazing management;
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• conduct data collection, preprocessing, and model validation for satellite imagery and animal sensor data;
• publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present outcomes at conferences;
• mentor graduate and undergraduate students working on satellite imagery, nutrition modeling, and precision livestock technologies;
• collaborate with stakeholders, including farmers, rangeland managers, and other project partners, to implement real-world applications of the developed technologies.

Major duties:

• design and conduct experiments to measure forage characteristics and collect data from grazing systems;
• build databases from farm-based forage sampling, satellite imagery, and animal sensors;
• implement machine learning algorithms for forage analysis and integrate them with nutritional models;
• coordinate with the project team to prepare project deliverables, including decision-support tools and manuscripts;
• travel to field sites for data collection and stakeholder collaboration.
• other duties as required.

Required Education and Experience.

• PhD in animal science, remote sensing, nutrition, or a related field.

Preferred Experience.

• demonstrate expertise in satellite imagery analysis, machine learning, and programming languages such as Python or R.
• experience with integrating animal sensor data and nutritional modeling

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

• excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• proven publication record in relevant fields;
• ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team;
• proactive, highly organized, responsible work ethic.
• ability to multi task and work cooperatively with others

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.

• proficiency in remote sensing techniques, machine learning models, and data integration;
• solid computational and analytical skills, with experience handling large-scale datasets

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.