Assistant Research Professor in Electronics, Instrumentation and Control Systems

Assistant Research Professor in Electronics, Instrumentation and Control Systems

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking an Assistant Research Professor in Electronics, Instrumentation and Control Systems in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Biorenewable Systems and Agricultural Machinery Applications.

Position: This is a 48-week, non-tenure-track Assistant Research Professor position with a 60% Research and 40% Teaching appointment in the areas of electronics, instrumentation and control systems and their applications in the general areas of agricultural and biological engineering research, teaching and Extension. This is a limited term position funded for three years from date of hire with good possibility of refunding.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will provide leadership in teaching and research in the areas of electronics fundamentals, instrumentation, sensors and control systems and their applications in agricultural and natural resources engineering, biorenewable systems, agricultural machinery and other related areas. Teaching and research responsibilities will include, but not limited to:

• Providing advice and technical assistance to faculty and graduate and undergraduate students for sensor and instrumentation requirements, instrumentation and control systems selection, and design for agricultural, biological, biorenewable and agricultural machinery experimentation and teaching,
  
• Purchasing, modifying and calibrating electronic equipment to meet unique needs of agricultural and biological engineering research, teaching and Extension programs,
  
• When necessary, custom designing, fabricating and/or retrofitting electronic instruments and control systems whereby turning concept and visualization into reality to be used in research and teaching,
  
• Interfacing computers (hardware and software) with advanced instruments, dataloggers, sensors and controllers wirelessly and as wired systems,
  
• Utilizing various computer software, including CAD, Solid Works, etc., for circuit boards design and etching, data collection and analyses, utilizing and teaching Electronic Workbench, Circuit Maker and other software,
  
• Maintaining up-to-date technical and scientific competencies through active reading, literature review, training, and other professional development programs and activities,
  
• Assisting faculty in setting up instrumentation and controls for laboratory exercises for other departmental graduate and undergraduate courses, interacting with graduate and undergraduate students, interns and other learners with highly diverse backgrounds, experiences and communities, cultural backgrounds and knowledge, and
  
• Incorporating safety protocols in all aspects of laboratory work, products and procedures.
  
  Research responsibilities include advancing scientific understanding and application of advanced electronics, instrumentation and control systems and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) applications in agricultural and biological engineering, including biorenewable systems and agricultural machinery, and animal production systems. The candidate is expected to teach three courses per year, including BE 305 - Agricultural Measurements and Control; and BRS 428 - Electric Power and Instrumentation in Agricultural Systems and a new course that the candidate will develop in close consultation with the Department Head based on the current and future needs in electronics, instrumentation, control systems and agricultural IoTs. The candidate is expected to independently lead these programs; obtain extramural grant funding; publish in high impact refereed journals; advise graduate and undergraduate students; and participate in local, regional, national and international professional conferences.
  
  The successful candidate will be expected to develop strong research collaborations within the department and with faculty in other departments and colleges, as well as nationally and internationally. The candidate will be expected to advise and mentor graduate students as part of the educational and research components of the position. The candidate will be expected to maintain high pedagogical standards in the courses being taught. The faculty member in this position will also be expected to consider global perspectives for addressing solutions to machinery performance and design, efficient and effective process systems, and applied control issues. The successful candidate will be expected to develop intellectual property resulting from research and collaborations with industry.
  
  Qualifications: Candidate must have a Ph.D. in biological, agricultural, mechanical, industrial, electrical, or a related engineering field, with a solid core of fundamental engineering coursework (such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, engineering mechanics, and control systems). The successful candidate must have completed all degree requirements by the appointment date. Additional qualifications include:
  
• Research experience integrating engineering and biology with respect to sensors, instrumentation and control systems in agricultural applications, including agricultural machinery, agricultural crop production, natural resources engineering, soil and water resources engineering, agricultural safety, biorenewable systems, and related fields is critical because the faculty member is expected to interact and provide leadership with teams of engineers and biological scientists from many disciplines.
  
• Knowledge of procedures and practices in specialty or technical field or advanced vocational skills such as computer programming and electronic and control systems technologies are required.
  
• The ability to engage professionally with a diverse population of faculty, staff and students across the university is required.
  
• Excellent and effective communication skills to provide creative leadership, and to work cooperatively with students, faculty, staff, and industry and agency groups is paramount. Experience with intellectual property is desirable.
  
• Demonstrated ability to function in a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary team environment is a requirement.
  
  Professional Engineering background is preferred, although it is not a requirement. The person should have the capability to carry out original, independent, and innovative and nationally visible research and teaching program. The successful candidate must implement Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Ethics into courses and will actively strive for providing an inclusive learning environment for students.
  
  Application: The position has a start date of January 2, 2023. Candidates should apply online to Penn State Job No REQ_0000036384 athttp://www.psu.jobs. Applications are due by November 10, 2022 . Candidates should provide a cover letter, curriculum vitae, the names and contact information for three references, three representative publications, a statement of research experiences/future interests, and a statement of teaching pedagogy/interests.Applicants should provide evidence, either woven through their application materials or as a separate diversity statement, of a commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusive excellence, ethics, and belonging and of engagement which creates an inclusive environment in their classroom, department, and the University.Employment will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.In the application materials, the candidate should specifically address how the candidate will integrate issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and ethics into candidate's research, teaching and service.
  
  The Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department: It is the mission of the ABE department to advance global sustainability through engineering sciences, business, and technical management of biological and agricultural systems. In addition to transdisciplinary research, outreach and service activities in bioproducts, food and bioprocessing, natural resource engineering and agricultural systems, the ABE department supports undergraduate and graduate resident education programs in: Biological Engineering (undergraduate), Agricultural and Biological Engineering (M.S. and Ph.D.) and BioRenewable Systems (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.), and the interdisciplinary Environmental Resource Management major. For more information visit www.abe.psu.edu.
  
  Questions can be directed to search committee chair Dr. Megan Marshall (mnm11@psu.edu) or Department Head Dr. Suat Irmak (sfi5068@psu.edu).
  
  The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.
  
  CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:
  Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters.
  
  Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
  
  EEO IS THE LAW
  Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
  
  Penn State Covid-19 Vaccination or Testing Requirements
  Penn State is committed to the health of our local and global communities. As a condition of employment, allemployeesare required to comply with COVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements. Click on Penn State Covid-19 Vaccination or Testing Requirements to learn about the requirements as well as general COVID-19 information at Penn State.
  
  To Apply, visit:
  https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Academic/job/Penn-State-University-Park/Assistant-Research-Professor-in-Electronics--Instrumentation-and-Control-Systems_REQ_0000036384-1
  
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