Postdoctoral Research Associate chez University of New Hampshire (USNH)

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A postdoctoral research associate is required in the Engineering for Agri-Environment Lab (https://sites.usnh.edu/eaelab/), led by Md Sazan Rahman, in the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems at the University of New Hampshire, to carry out some of the key research in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). The research activities include, among others, modeling and simulation of microclimate dynamics in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), precision monitoring and management of temperature and humidity, and the development of predictive environmental control frameworks to improve productivity and resource efficiency.

The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Md Sazan Rahman in conducting the research and will collaborate with researchers and specialists across the University of New Hampshire, Cooperative Extension, and regional growers engaged in sustainable protected agriculture.

The expected start date is December 2025 or anytime soon. The initial appointment will be for 1.5 years, with a possible extension of another six months, depending on performance and funding availability. Salary and benefits will be provided in accordance with the University of New Hampshire's policies for postdoctoral fellows based on experience.

Please be advised that this position is supported by external sponsor funding. As such, continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of those external funds. If, for any reason, the sponsor funding is reduced or discontinued, employment may be subject to modification or termination in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• The postdoctoral researcher will lead research on the advanced simulation of temperature and moisture dynamics in protected agriculture systems, encompassing moisture generation, transpiration, and dynamics in air and substrate.

• The postdoctoral researcher will develop and validate computational models of CEA heat and moisture transfer using platforms such as ANSYS Fluent, TRANSYS, COMSOL Multiphysics, and/or other relevant simulation software.

• The position also involves working with growers to provide technical assistance for on-farm environmental management and enriching the HVAC-related research program in the EAE lab.

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

•  A Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biosystems/Bioresource/Biological Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Research and Outreach Skills:

• Strong research experience in modeling of heat and moisture transfer, environmental simulation, and microclimate management in protected agriculture.

• Experience with calibration of environmental sensors and systems integration, data collection, and analysis.

• Demonstrated record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

Programming and Computing Skills:

• Experience using  TRANSYS, ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL Multiphysics, or similar platforms for thermal and fluid dynamics simulations.

• Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, R, or similar.

• Machine learning or data-driven modeling experience applied to environmental control systems is preferred.

Additional Experience:

• Proficiency with data acquisition systems (e.g., LabVIEW, CRBasic).

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience designing and conducting laboratory and field experiments.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and supervise graduate and undergraduate students.

• Proven ability to meet deadlines.

• A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel regionally are preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Any previous work/research experience in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) field will be an asset.

• Candidates who are already staying inside the USA will be preferred; however, international candidates will also be encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter describing relevant experience and goals

• Contact Information for 3 Professional References

• Statement of research interests and career objectives (max. 2 pages)

Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration.  Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

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