Statistician (Postdoctoral Research Associate)
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Job Description: Statistician (Postdoctoral Research Associate)
Posted: March 23, 2023
We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate for a two-year position to conduct statistical modeling and analysis in agro-ecology and agricultural economics. The successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Frederi Viens, in the Department of Statistics at Rice University in Houston, TX. Remote work can be negotiated. Adjunct faculty appointment at Rice University Statistics Department can also be negotiated.
This position is meant to be filled by a recent Ph.D. graduate in Statistics or a closely allied field. Candidates with an MS degree in statistics will also be considered for this position if they can demonstrate having work experience whose scope, innovativeness, and autonomy are comparable to what skills would be acquired in a strong Ph.D. in applied statistics. The areas of application are in agro-ecology, agricultural economics, financial risk analytics, and farm operation.
Land Core is the project convener and formal employer for this role, while team members span multiple universities and private-sector partners. There is significant potential for real world impact from this research by informing agricultural lending and crop insurance policies in the US.
Land Core is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization advancing soil health programs and policies that create value for farmers, businesses, and communities. In particular, they are focused on building the missing infrastructure and economic incentives that will make the rapid adoption of soil health possible.
The organization has assembled an impressive group of quantitative scientists and subject matter experts, from U.C. Berkeley, Michigan State University, the University of Arkansas, and Rice University, who develop and apply state-of-the art scientific methodologies and tools to enable the development of statistical models and their analysis, in assessing current and future environmental and financial risks and risk mitigation strategies, for farming and farm operation in the US Midwest region and beyond. This work will result, in part, in the development of a practical tool that will be used by Land Core’s lending and insurance partners to incorporate into their risk assessment strategies, and to develop economic incentives for producers to adopt risk-reducing soil health practices.
Responsibilities:
Develop, coordinate, and provide support for statistical modeling and analysis in agro-ecology and agricultural economics, including statistical programming, under supervision of senior academics in the project's application fields.
Interact with agro-ecologists, agricultural economists, other statistical analysis and programming staff, data management staff, software development staff, Land Core leadership and operational staff, and occasionally with business partners at lending and insurance stakeholder entities and farm operations, and with academic partners at other universities, in designing and analyzing statistical models for agro-ecological quantities of interest, and in coordinating the statistical activities for the overall project.
Assist the team's senior statistician in communicating with non-academic team members and partners, taking the lead on technical project execution, technical presentations and coordination.
Develop individual data analysis plans and determine appropriate statistical methodology for data analysis in collaboration with and under the supervision of the team's senior statistician.
Participate in database design meetings, with data manager and with software developer, to ensure that the data evaluated satisfies analysis requirements.
Collaborate with other statistical programming staff to ensure that all programs meet analysis requirements, and any internal standards to comply with efficient project operation and general scientific reproducibility.
Evaluate appropriateness of available software and statistical programming languages for planned analyses and ascertains needs for potential program development of novel statistical methodology, in collaboration with and under the supervision of the team's senior statistician.
Analyze data and interpret results from statistical modeling of agro-ecological data to meet project objectives. Independently apply and implement basic and complex techniques to these analyses.
Prepare verbal and written reports to effectively communicate results of statistical modeling and analyses to the project team, management, individual investigators, industrial partners, and external academic collaborators.
Provide responses to queries relating to model design, analysis, and interpretation posed by the senior statistician, industrial partners, and/or investigators.
Present academic findings at professional conferences in applied statistics, agriculture science, and agricultural economics, to report the team's findings.
Lead and participate in writing academic papers to report the team's findings.
Participate with management in discussions with investigators concerning proposed or ongoing studies.
Involved in research activities for innovative statistical methods and applications to agro-ecology, agricultural economics, and risk analytics.
Required qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent degree in statistics or a closely allied discipline or a Master’s degree in statistics with five years of demonstrably relevant work experience.
Knowledge of statistical analysis methodologies, including applied and computational Bayesian analysis.
Knowledge of and experience with statistical programming and data processing software, including R proficiency.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Able to work effectively with personnel with different functional backgrounds. Preferably, experience communicating with laypeople with varying degrees of scientific literacy.
Demonstrate strong interest in statistical research activities and in application of novel methods to applied sciences.
Must also demonstrate the ability to learn, be proactive and motivated, and consistently focus on details and execution.
Additional desired qualifications:
Knowledge of frequentist statistical methodologies.
Some exposure to data management methodologies and tools.
Some knowledge of Python.
Some exposure to Geographic Information Services.
Some exposure to remote-sensing data acquisition, assessment, curation, and management.
A statistician's understanding of and experience in agriculture science, or ecology, or environmental science, or closely allied domains, including experience in the analysis of observational studies data in one or more of these domains.
Candidates with a MS degree in Applied Statistics and a Ph.D. in agronomy, ecology, agricultural economics, or another closely allied discipline, are encouraged to apply.
What we look for:
In joining this project, you have the opportunity to get on the ground floor of a truly ambitious and necessary endeavor. In this collaboration, you can put to work your creativity, your statistical expertise, and your desire to ensure a sustainable future for all, with a diverse group of colleagues who are all passionate about sustainability via soil health practices which farmers can adopt for the long term. This project is only the beginning of what we intend to be a national movement to change the way crops are grown in the US, and eventually around the world. So if you are intellectually curious, environmentally passionate, and agriculturally realistic about what farmers can manage and what help they need, join our team, and start making your impact.
Appointment:
The anticipated and desired start date for this appointment is June 2023, or once the position is filled. Later start dates are possible in selected circumstances. Yearly pay is for a 12-month contract, with reappointment for a second year based on performance.
Expected salary:
$72,000-83,000.00 expected base salary, per 12-month period. Base salary is based on qualifications and experience and is negotiable.
Expected benefits package: healthcare stipend, retirement plan, PTO, professional development.
Employee Status: Regular
Travel Requirements: Infrequent travel, remote participation can be negotiated, except for conference presentations.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Remote work can be negotiated. Weekly work schedule is flexible.
Adjunct faculty appointment at Rice University Statistics Department can be negotiated.
Land Core is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
People who do not identify as gender-male, people who identify as belonging to groups under-represented in STEM fields, and people with disabilities, are strongly encouraged to apply.
To apply:
Interested individuals should submit the following items to Land Core (staff@landcore.org) and cc Dr. Frederi Viens (viens@rice.edu):
A 1-2 page cover letter describing their experience and interest in the position. We encourage including a statement addressing past and/or potential contributions to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion through research, teaching, and/or service.
A current CV
The names and contact information of three professional references. Letters of reference may be requested for finalists.
Email questions to Land Core (staff@landcore.org)
The position will remain open until filled, and all applicants who apply by May 15 will receive full consideration.