Associate Research Scientist

The Columbia Climate School's Center for Climate Systems Research (CCSR) invites applications for an Associate Research Scientist position to develop advanced gridded crop modeling frameworks for connection to remote sensing and climate products. The successful candidate will work closely with scientists as CCSR and at the co-located NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies to oversee technological and scientific improvements in agriculture modeling driven by a range of ground, satellite, model output, and stakeholder-provided datasets. Development will incorporate advances in process-based crop models as its central element, weaving in artificial intelligence and machine learning techinques and enabling data assimilation within agricultural model configurations ranging from the sub-field to continental scales. Applications include analysis of seasonal and climate change risks, the development of new crop species models, and the identification and prioritization of agricultural systems that increase resilience through adaptation and mitigation practices.

The successful candidate will join ongoing projects on agricultural model development and application, while publishing scientific papers in high profile journals and working to develop additional sources of funding support including from government, private sector, and foundation programs. This will be facilitated through regular engagement with scientists and stakeholders across the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP; whose international coordination hub is at CCSR). The candidate will thus be encouraged to connect with relevant AgMIP activities (e.g., AgMIP-Maize, AgML) and potentially develop new activities or protocols for model intercomparison and improvement that attract participation from AgMIP's international community. Research and communications products that demonstrate value to stakeholders are of high priority.

Information about CCSR can be found at: https://ccsr.columbia.edu/; information about AgMIP: www.agmip.org; and GISS: www.giss.nasa.gov.

Interested candidates must have:

• a PhD in agronomy, biological engineering, soil science, computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, or a related field.
• Familiarity with development and application of process-based crop models (e.g., DSSAT, APSIM, EPIC).
• Familiarity with Python data analysis and visualization software.
• Strong communication skills and interest to work within a group of scientists helping stakeholders prepare responses to agricultural system challenges.
• Scientific programming and model development (e.g., Fortran, Matlab, R).

Columbia University is particularly seeking candidates with experience in two or more of the following:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications.
• High-performance computational systems (e.g., parallel processor environment).
• Probabilistic forecasts and projections.
• Remote sensing of agricultural system characteristics (e.g., vegetation, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, land use products).
• Data assimilation in physical models.
• Experience interacting with stakeholders in the US and developing country contexts.

The search will remain open for at least 30 days after the advertisement appears and will continue until the position is filled.

The position is available immediately with an initial appointment of 1 year with possible extension contingent on performance and funding.

Columbia University benefits accompany this Officer of Research appointment.

We accept online applications only.