Urban horticulture is one of the fastest-growing fields, addressing the need for year-round, resource-efficient, and high-quality food production in cities. By joining this program, you will be part of a team advancing indoor farming, hydroponics, and greenhouse-based innovations that can reshape urban food supply chains worldwide.

Role and Research Focus

The Postdoctoral Associate will work on controlled environment crop physiology and advanced production systems. The goal is to improve crop yield, nutritional quality, and sustainability while reducing environmental impact.

Key research areas include:

• Plant physiology in controlled environments (greenhouses and indoor growth chambers)
• Automated data acquisition using environmental sensors and data loggers
• Leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements
• Hydroponic production system performance analysis
• Nutritional and phytochemical profiling with spectrophotometers and HPLC
• Publishing peer-reviewed research and presenting at international conferences

This position is initially funded for one year, with the potential for extension based on performance and funding availability.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Ph.D. in horticulture, crop science, or related field
• Proven experience in plant physiology and controlled environment research
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Evidence of publications in peer-reviewed journals

Salary and Benefits

• Annual Salary: Minimum $50,000
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities at Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• Opportunities for professional development, collaboration, and networking
• Possibility of contract renewal based on performance and funding

Why Join Texas A&M AgriLife Research?

Texas A&M AgriLife is a global leader in urban horticulture and sustainable agriculture research. The Dallas Center integrates advanced technologies with practical solutions to address the growing demand for sustainable urban food systems.

By working here, you will gain hands-on experience with next-generation greenhouses, indoor farming technologies, and analytical equipment, positioning yourself at the forefront of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this position open to international applicants?
Yes, international candidates are welcome if they have the right to work in the U.S. or can secure a work visa.

Q2: What facilities will be available?
Researchers will have access to modern greenhouses, indoor growth chambers, advanced monitoring systems, spectrophotometers, and HPLC.

Q3: Can the position be extended beyond one year?
Yes, extensions are possible depending on performance and funding.

Q4: What makes Texas A&M unique in urban horticulture research?
The program combines world-class research, innovation, and real-world application, making it a hub for sustainable food production studies.

Q5: Is this a teaching role?
No, the position is research-focused, though opportunities exist to present findings at conferences and collaborate with academic teams.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should prepare:

• A cover letter detailing research interests and relevant experience
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a publication list
• Contact details of three professional references

Send applications and inquiries to:
Dr. Genhua Niu, Professor in Urban Horticulture
Email: genhua.niu@ag.tamu.edu

This full-time job is based at the Institute for Vegetable Crops, located in the scenic Rheingau region near Wiesbaden. If you’re ready to drive innovation in smart farming, this role is perfect for you.

Project Overview – iSoBeD: AI for Smarter Irrigation

This position is part of the iSoBeD Project, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). The project focuses on optimizing irrigation strategies for organic and integrated crop systems using cutting-edge technologies:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Machine Learning (ML)
• Environmental sensors
• Decision support systems (DSS)

You’ll play a central role in developing and enhancing ANNI, an Artificial Neural Network-based system designed to forecast irrigation demands using a blend of historical, environmental, and real-time sensor data.

Key Responsibilities

As a Scientist in Smart Agriculture, your tasks will include:

• Developing AI models for irrigation optimization using machine learning and R programming.
• Conducting field experiments at trial and commercial sites.
• Validating AI-powered irrigation tools with real-world data.
• Collaborating with universities, government bodies, and agribusiness stakeholders.
• Supervising students and contributing to peer-reviewed publications and industry-focused reports.

Required Qualifications

To be eligible for this role, applicants must have:

• A PhD in horticulture, agriculture, geosciences, or related natural sciences.
• Expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and sensor-based monitoring.
• Strong skills in R programming and a working knowledge of neural networks.
• A solid publication record and experience with interdisciplinary research.
• Practical experience in agriculture or horticulture (preferred).
• Fluent English skills, ability to work independently, and excellent teamwork.
• A valid driver’s license (Class B).

What Geisenheim University Offers

As a member of the Geisenheim research community, you’ll benefit from:

• Secure public sector employment (up to pay group 13 TV-H)
• Pension and social security benefits
• Flexible working hours and mobile work options
• 30 days of annual leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Free public transport in Hesse (LandesTicket 2025–2026)
• A vibrant, green campus surrounded by vineyards and history

Why This Role Matters

This is more than a research job—it’s a mission to revolutionize sustainable agriculture. Your work on AI-based irrigation technologies will directly support:

• Water conservation amid global climate stress
• Increased crop efficiency in organic and integrated systems
• Tech-driven solutions for food security challenges

Commitment to Inclusion

Geisenheim University embraces diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Applications from women, underrepresented groups in STEM, and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged. Candidates with disabilities will be given preference if equally qualified.

Application Details

• Application Deadline: August 5, 2025
• Start Date: December 1, 2025 (subject to funding approval)
• Contract Duration: Fixed-term until November 30, 2028
• Workload: Full-time (40 hours/week)

How to Apply

Submit your application (in PDF format) quoting Reference No. 38/2025 to:
bewerbung@hs-gm.de

Contact for Inquiries

• Aline Wenzl / Verena Klein: +49 (0)6722 502-2291 / 2292
• Prof. Dr. Jana Zinkernagel: Jana.Zinkernagel@hs-gm.de

Final Thoughts

If you’re driven by innovation in precision agriculture, this Scientist job in Germany gives you the chance to shape the future of AI-powered sustainable farming. Join the team at Geisenheim University and contribute to impactful research that benefits both local agriculture and the global climate challenge.