What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Researcher - Pacific Northwest Organic Center position at Rodale Institute?
The Postdoctoral Researcher will lead and support field-based research trials at Rodale Institute’s Pacific Northwest Organic Center in Rockport, WA. This position focuses on both perennial and annual cropping systems and includes responsibilities spanning experimental design, field implementation, data collection, and day-to-day plot maintenance.
This is a highly applied position that combines scientific research with hands-on field implementation. The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible not only for experimental design and data analysis, but also for the day-to-day management and maintenance of research plots, ensuring successful execution of trials under real farm conditions.
This is a 12-month position contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding availability, with an ideal start date of August 2026. To apply, please submit a CV, a brief cover letter describing your research interests and experience, and contact information for three references.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications & Experience:
Preferred Qualifications & Experience:
Compensation & Benefits:
This is a highly applied position that combines scientific research with hands-on field implementation. The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible not only for experimental design and data analysis, but also for the day-to-day management and maintenance of research plots, ensuring successful execution of trials under real farm conditions.
This is a 12-month position contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding availability, with an ideal start date of August 2026. To apply, please submit a CV, a brief cover letter describing your research interests and experience, and contact information for three references.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Research and Field Trials (75%)
- Design, implement, and manage field experiments in perennial (e.g., small fruits, agroforestry systems) and annual cropping systems
- Lead data collection efforts, including soil health metrics, plant growth, yield, pest and disease monitoring, and environmental data
- Evaluate and integrate weed management, pest pressure (entomology), and disease dynamics (plant pathology) within organic and regenerative production systems
- Ensure data integrity, quality control, and proper documentation of all research activities and protocols
- Maintain research plots, including irrigation, planting, weeding, and coordination of day-to-day field operations
- Coordinate with farm staff and seasonal workers to ensure timely and accurate execution of field activities
- Contribute to the development of practical, scalable solutions for organic and regenerative systems in the Pacific Northwest, including weed, pest, and disease management strategies
- Data Analysis, Publications, and Reporting (15%)
- Analyze and interpret experimental data using appropriate statistical methods
- Contribute to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and grant deliverables
- Assist in preparing research summaries and documentation for internal and external reporting
- Conduct and support the development of grant proposals and project reports as needed
- Education, Outreach, and Collaboration (10%)
- Support outreach activities, including field days, workshops, and presentations to farmers and stakeholders
- Collaborate with growers, conservation districts, and research partners to implement on-farm trials and demonstrations
- Contribute to extension materials such as technical bulletins, fact sheets, and grower-oriented publications
Required Qualifications & Experience:
- Ph.D. in Agronomy, Horticulture, Agroecology, Soil Science, or a related fiel
- Demonstrated experience in field-based agricultural research
- Strong knowledge of organic and/or regenerative farming systems
- Experience with experimental design and statistical analysis
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a dynamic environmen
- Willingness to perform physically demanding fieldwork in various weather condition
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications & Experience:
- Experience working with perennial cropping systems (e.g., fruit crops, agroforestry)
- Familiarity with soil health assessments and biological indicators (e.g., soil carbon, microbial activity)
- Experience with irrigation management and environmental monitoring systems
- Record of peer-reviewed publications
- Experience engaging with farmers or extension/outreach activities
Compensation & Benefits:
- This is a 12-month position contingent upon satisfactory performance and funding availability
- This is a full-time, benefits eligible position
- This is an exempt position, $60,000 annual salary
- Rodale Institute offers 100% paid medical premium for full-time employees and their dependents; sharing premium cost for dental & vision plans; a 403(b)-retirement savings plan; life insurance and AD&D coverage; and 100% paid short and long-term disability coverage.
- Rodale Institute has a competitive time off program, plus 5 floating holidays for full-time employees, and 12 company paid holidays
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.
Salary : $60,000