Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Industrial Hemp Agronomic

About the role

The successful candidate will work closely with the Statewide Industrial Hemp Extension Specialist at Tennessee State University (TSU) to support research and Extension activities focused on industrial hemp production, agronomy, sustainability, and development of resilient production systems. The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will assist with the design, establishment, management, and evaluation of field and controlled‑environment studies involving industrial hemp. Research may include cultivar evaluation, planting and harvest management, crop rotation, soil and nutrient management, weed and disease management, propagation, conservation practices, and other factors affecting hemp productivity and quality. The position will also support implementation of TSU’s USDA‑NRCS Agricultural Management and Production (AMP) fiber hemp project, including research and demonstration activities at TSU research stations, coordination of activities with university and industry partners, and technical support to participating growers across Tennessee.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field visits, data collection, and management
• Evaluate production practices
• Assist with grower outreach, field demonstrations, and other project activities
• Conduct statistical analyses and interpret research results
• Prepare technical and Extension materials
• Prepare manuscripts for peer‑reviewed journals
• Present findings at scientific conferences, field days, workshops, and producer meetings

Requirements

• Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related field
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to travel to research sites across Tennessee
• Experience working with soil–plant–atmosphere monitoring tools and remote sensing tools
• Strong programming and data analysis skills using Python, RStudio, or related programming languages, or experience working with water balance or energy balance models
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and complete tasks efficiently
• Experience conducting field‑based agricultural research in extreme weather conditions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Skills

• Programming and data analysis (Python, RStudio)
• Water balance and energy balance modeling
• Soil–plant–atmosphere monitoring
• Remote sensing
• Statistical analysis
• Technical and Extension writing
• Scientific presentation

Schedule

Full‑time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 12 months per year (fiscal year). Salary paid on a monthly basis.

Benefits

• Annual leave (vacation)
• Sick leave
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Flexible benefits plans