Call for applicants on ecosystem modeling, remote sensing, and AI:
Research Scientists, Postdocs, & PhD Students
Agroecosystem Sustainability Center (ASC) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
(UIUC) is recruiting multiple research scientists, postdoctoral scholars and PhD students on ecosystem
modeling and sensing. ASC is a leading research center and innovation powerhouse in advancing the
monitoring and modeling of agroecosystems for improving sustainability under climate change. ASC
leverages the UIUC’s world-leading strengths in Agricultural Science, Computer Science, and
Environmental Science. ASC scientists and students are working towards advancing science goals and
technological innovations to generate real-world solutions and impacts. ASC works closely with
farmers, industry and policymakers, and brings truly transdisciplinary educational and research
experiences to talented students and scholars at UIUC.
ASC was founded by Dr. Kaiyu Guan and other leading scientists at UIUC in the area of
agroecosystem sustainability. Successful candidates will work with a transdisciplinary team composed
by leading experts in earth system modeling, plant physiology, biogeochemistry, hydrology, soil
science, agronomy, and remote sensing, AI, including: Lisa Ainsworth, Wendy Yang, Bin Peng,
Andrew Margenot, Evan DeLucia, Murugesu Sivapalan, Sheng Wang, Carl Bernacchi, Shenlong
Wang, and D.K. Lee.
Examples of our recent research highlights include: (i) “System-of-systems” solution to
quantify field-level agricultural carbon outcomes (a review); (ii) Process modeling to quantify
agroecosystem dynamics (carbon budget, cover crop, nitrogen); (iii) Cross-scale sensing for
agroecosystem variables (cover crop, crop nitrogen, tillage practices); (iv) Large-scale satellite
algorithms and products (photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, marginal land, crop yield, cover crop);
(v) Water sustainability (irrigation, excessive moisture, tile drainage).
Research Topics: Climate change and human activities are continuously affecting the agricultural
ecosystem functions and services across multiple scales. To better manage agricultural ecosystems in
the Anthropocene, we need to improve mechanistic understanding and prediction of ecosystem
dynamics and provide a better monitoring capability to track the ecosystem changes. Research topics
for these positions at ASC include:
1) Advancing ecosystem modeling (using ecosys, CESM, etc) for coupled carbon, water
and nutrient cycles in agricultural ecosystems. The candidates will work on improving existing
ecosystem models or developing new modules with new theories and observational evidence.
2) Advancing ecosystem remote sensing, including ground/airborne/satellite
hyperspectral sensing, and big-data analytics of satellite algorithms. The candidates will work on
generating new insights and data products from geospatial big data with radiative transfer modeling,
computer vision, and artificial intelligence (AI).
3) Advancing Model-Data Fusion by integrating advanced modeling with data to quantify
agricultural ecosystem services, e.g. GHG (N2O, CH4), soil health, water quality, using
supercomputing and AI. The candidates will work on building or improving effective, scalable and
efficient model-data fusion methods.
4) Measuring and processing gas (CO2, N2O, and water vapor) and energy exchange
between the land surface and the atmosphere using the eddy covariance technique. The candidate
will work on field data collection, conducting eddy covariance data analysis to understand the
mechanistic basis of mass and energy exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere, and
modeling those processes in the ecosystem models.
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Research Scientists & Postdocs: Compensation and Qualifications
● Research Scientists: $70-$100K/year with full benefits, depending on experience. This is
a long-term position with 5+years support guaranteed.
● Postdocs: $50-$70K/year with full benefits, depending on experience.
● Qualifications: (1) Applicants should have a Ph.D. in earth system and environmental science,
hydrology, remote sensing, environmental engineering, atmospheric sciences, geography,
mathematics, or a closely related field. Candidates will be considered if graduation with a Ph.D.
is expected by the targeted starting date. (2) Prior research experiences in process-based
modeling and/or remote sensing and/or eddy covariance measurements are highly preferred.
(3) Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, C/C++, and/or Fortran in the Linux environment)
and prior experience in supercomputing or big data analytical systems is required, as the
applicant will be working routinely in supercomputer environment. (4) Excellent writing skills,
demonstrated by publication records.
● To ensure full consideration, qualified candidates must send a cover letter, CV, academic
evidence (i.e. transcripts of college and PhD, or others), and contact information of three
references via email with the subject “Prospective Research Scientist”, or “Prospective
Postdoc” to asc-application@illinois.edu. All requested information must be submitted to the
above email in order for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be
reviewed. Qualified applicants will be immediately reviewed upon receiving the application
while the search may continue until the position is filled. We greatly appreciate all the
interested applications, but advise that only candidates shortlisted for interview will be notified
of the application results. The appointment is renewed annually, contingent upon the
performance. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience in relevant research.
PhD students: Compensation and Qualifications
● Stipend: $32K/year with benefits, plus full tuition waiver (~$30K/year).
● Qualifications: Strong quantitative programming skills and domain science (such as
hydrology, plant physiology, biogeochemistry, remote sensing, ecology and geography)
knowledge are required for successful PhD student candidates. Proficiency in spoken/written
English is mandatory. All applicants should meet the minimum requirements of GPA by
graduate admission (http://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply/requirement). Information
for applying to NRES can be found here: https://nres.illinois.edu/graduate/apply. International
students should also meet the minimum requirements of TOEFL (the same link above). GRE
is not required.
● Prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact asc-application@illinois.edu first
with the subject “Prospective PhD student” to share credentials and research statement before
applying. In emails, please include the following items: unofficial transcripts, curriculum vitae,
GRE score (optional), names and contact information of three references, and a brief personal
statement. We greatly appreciate all the interested applications, but advise that only candidates
shortlisted for interview will be notified of the application results. Starting Date: We accept
students at any time of the year, not confined to only the fall semester. Therefore, the
enrollment time is flexible.
UIUC is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of
its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. UIUC
ranks top worldwide in Agricultural Science, Computer Science, and Environmental Science. Illinois
serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions
to critical societal needs. The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer. The administration, faculty, and staff embrace diversity and are committed to attracting
qualified candidates who also embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.
