Career Center

Auburn University is one of the nation’s premier public land-grant institutions. For 23 consecutive years, Auburn has been ranked among the best of both public and private universities. In 2020, it was ranked 40th among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. An R1 institution, Auburn maintains high levels of research activity and high standards for teaching excellence, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, Educational Specialist, and Doctoral degrees in agriculture and engineering, the professions, and the arts and sciences. Its 2020 enrollment of 30,737 students includes 24,505 undergraduates and 6,232 graduate and professional students. Organized into thirteen academic colleges and schools, Auburn’s 1,426 faculty members offer more than 200 educational programs. The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, positive work environment, student engagement, and beautiful campus. Auburn University is located in the city of Auburn in east-central Alabama approximately 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, GA and southeast of Birmingham, AL and is about 60 miles from the state capitol (Montgomery). Auburn University is an equal opportunity employer.  Please visit www.auburn.edu for more information.

Location: Auburn, Alabama

Salary and Benefit:  $25,000-$30,000 with full tuition waiver and field travel reimbursement. Student health insurance is available

Closing date of competition: Until position is filled

Position available date: Spring semester, 2023

Number of position available: 2

Job responsibilities:

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to design and conduct research studies in the following areas: 1) evaluating crop health, agronomic parameters and field variations with drone-based sensors; 2) optimize best spray and flight parameters for spray drones; 3) improve workflows to perform drone-based precision applications. The incumbent is expected to conduct multiple field experiments to collect data, perform data analysis, prepare project reports independently to funding agencies and collaborators, present research results in field days, extension meetings, regional and national scientific conferences, and prepare research manuscripts for publications. In addition, the incumbent will share the responsibility to supervise undergraduate student workers, manage equipment and provide technical assistance to other weed science and small plot studies.

Qualifications sought:

1. Obtained M.S. degree in Crop Science, Agronomy, Crop Protection, Plant Science, Horticulture or a related discipline.  
2. Strong communication skills (both written and oral).
3. Team player with exceptional work ethics
4. Be able to obtain AL driver license and capability of driving long distance (500 miles a day)
5. Be able to lift and carry at least 40 lb weight during field work.
6. Long working hours in field and high physical demand during summer and fall should be expected.
7. Prior working experiences with weed, insect and disease control, pesticide application, GIS, drone, remote sensing and farming equipment are very desirable.

Application documents: (Please submit electronically to steveli@auburn.edu)    

1. CV or resume
2. Statement of interest (up to 2 pages)
3. Academic transcripts
4. Contact information of three references
5. Official GRE score
6. Official TOEFL score (for foreign applicants)

Contact for additional information:

Dr. Steve Li

Extension Specialist, Associate Professor

Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences. Auburn University

steveli@auburn.edu