About the role
Job Description
The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to join an interdisciplinary research team working on innovative approaches to soil hydraulic characterization, environmental sensing, and hydrologic modeling. The position will support a USDA-NRCS funded project focused on improving soil hydraulic characterization through novel sensing, modeling, and data integration. The successful candidate will collaborate with faculty members in the Environmental Soil Science group and integrate field observations, sensor networks, remote sensing data, and process-based models to improve understanding of soil-water dynamics, root water uptake, drought resilience, and ecosystem responses to climate variability.
The candidate will be expected to disseminate their work through presentations at annual meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals. The postdoctoral associate is expected to train and supervisor work completed by students and research assistants involved in the project. General maintenance of laboratory facility and equipment.
Required Qualifications
- PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of the appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining in Soil Science, Environmental Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience in quantitative analysis of soil-water processes.
- Strong computational and data analysis skills using R, Python, MATLAB, or related platforms.
- Record of peer-reviewed publications commensurate with career stage.
- Effective communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with soil hydraulic characterization, infiltration measurements, soil moisture monitoring, or environmental sensor networks.
- Experience with hydrologic, ecohydrological, or vadose zone modeling (e.g., HYDRUS, SWAT, ParFlow, or related models).
- Experience acquiring, processing, and analyzing environmental data from proximal and remote sensing technologies.
- Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary research team.
- Demonstrated interest in developing independent research directions and pursuing external funding opportunities.
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$53,550 - $65,029; commensurate with experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
11/01/2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Huijie Gan at juijiegan@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.