Description
The purpose of this position announcement is to hire a Post-Doctoral Associate to modify and improve an existing finite element model of water and heat flow, solute transport, and plant root dynamics in soil. The model is a major sub-component of crop models for corn, potato, soybean, cotton, wheat, and rye.
Duties and Responsibilities: This position is funded through a cooperative agreement between the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture and the USDA-ARS Adaptive Crops and Systems Laboratory in Beltsville, MD. The work will primarily focus on the modification and testing of a finite element model of soil processes and associated crop models. The position consists mostly of numerical analysis and computer programming. The applicant will be expected to:
- Work with graduate students and scientists who are collecting data on saline and flooded soils, and crop development and simulating water and nitrogen dynamics under cover crops.
- Assist with the development of algorithms to simulate flooding and salinity effects on root growth and plant processes such as photosynthesis.
- Work on improving simulation of saline soils as it applies to the Eastern Shore of Maryland
- Continue work on a mulch decomposition model to improve performance and add new types of residue.
- Find data in the literature for model testing and evaluation as needed.
- Organize and analyze data in order to prepare manuscripts based on these modifications.
- Participate in ongoing projects in the ARS and UMD labs and provide numerical modeling support as needed.
- Work with training users in model applications.
- Demonstrate interpersonal skills in a professional setting.
- Be willing to travel in- or out of state for scientific conferences to network and collaborate with colleagues.
- Present findings at regional or national meetings.
To apply: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis starting 8 May 2026 and will remain open until filled. Please send Dr. Kate Tully (kltully@umd.edu) a cover letter (explaining your interest in the position and relevant skills/experience), your most recent CV, and a list with 3 references who can be contacted. Please use “Crop modeling postdoc application” as the subject line. Please also apply on the UMD Job Site for full consideration.
Requirements
Specific Abilities/Experiences (Required): Extensive programming and numerical methods experience in C++, FORTRAN and Python is a prerequisite, as is a research background in Soil Science, Hydrology and/or Agronomy. Demonstrated programming experience with soil process simulation models such as finite element and finite difference models, and experience with numerical methods and applied mathematics is strongly preferred. Ability to obtain a USDA security clearance for on-site access to US government resources and systems. This position is based at the University of Maryland College Park in College Park, Maryland with the majority of work conducted at USDA-ARS in Beltsville, Maryland. This position is not available for visa sponsorship.
Qualifications (Required): Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering or a related engineering science field with a strong emphasis on applied mathematics, numerical methods and modeling is required.