Postdoctoral Researcher in Advanced Modeling and Simulation for Food, Packaging, and Supply Chains

Apply now Job no: 537167
Work type: Post Doc Associate
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Computer Science, Agricultural Sciences
Department:60070000 - AG-AGRICUL - BIOLOGICAL ENG

Classification Title:

Postdoctoral Associate

Classification Minimum Requirements:

The appointee shall have received the doctorate in a field appropriate to the assigned duties and responsibilities.

Job Description:

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

IFAS is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Agricultural and Biological Engineering department (ABE), a unit within IFAS. This individual will have expertise in computer science, industrial and systems engineering, or related fields to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of food systems, packaging, supply chain resilience, and lifecycle sustainability. The successful candidate will lead and conduct independent research in optimization, systems modeling, agent-based modeling (ABM), and network modeling, with direct applications to food packaging systems, supply chain logistics, and lifecycle/techno-economic assessment (LCA/TEA).

Employment with IFAS provides an excellent opportunity to work with other dedicated employees focused on developing knowledge in agricultural, human, and natural resources, and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life.

Some key responsibilities and characteristics of this position are:

  • Develop and apply mathematical, computational, and agent-based models to evaluate sustainability and resilience in food, packaging, and supply chains. 

  • Conceptualize and implement digital twin systems for packaging and supply chain decision-making. 

  • Integrate optimization, AI, and machine learning methods into models of logistics and lifecycle sustainability. 

  • Conduct life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) for emerging packaging and food system technologies. 

  • Prepare decision-support tools and simulation frameworks to inform stakeholders and policymakers. 

  • Analyze system-level data on environmental, economic, and labor impacts of packaging and supply chain innovations. 

  • Contribute to peer-reviewed publications and grant proposal development. 

  • Mentor graduate and undergraduate students in computational modeling and sustainability assessment. 

  • Present research findings at national and international conferences. 

About Agricultural and Biological Engineering

The mission of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department is to develop professionals, create and disseminate knowledge, and promote the application of engineering, science, and management principles to meet societal needs with respect to agricultural, biological, and land and water resource systems. With more than 100 years since its founding, ABE is one of the top-ranked departments in the nation (ranked third in graduate and seventh in undergraduate agricultural and biological engineering programs by US News & World Report in 2024).

Learn more about ABE.

Benefits

UF provides various leave programs based on an employee’s salary plan, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, personal leave days, and paid family leave. In addition to paid time off, the University of Florida offers a very competitive benefits package.

About the University of Florida 

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students.  UF is a member of The Association of American Universities.  The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus.  UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine.  UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Required Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline. 

  • Strong background in optimization, systems models, and network modeling. 

  • Experience in agent-based modeling and simulation. 

  • Demonstrated research experience in supply chains, logistics, packaging, or sustainability assessment. 

  • Proficiency in computational tools such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar. 

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills. 

  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.

  • Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.
  • Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values
Preferred:

The ideal candidate will possess the following experience and skills:

  • Experience with digital twin technologies. 

  • Background in food systems, packaging, or circular economy research. 

  • Experience in LCA and TEA methodologies. 

  • Prior publications in high-impact journals. 

  • Experience mentoring students and working with industry partners. 

 
 

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

  • Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
    • One-page cover letter describing your qualifications and interest
    • Curriculum vitae
    • Contact information, including email addresses, for professional references (minimum of 3, including one current or previous supervisor)

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible.  Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.

Health Assessment Required: No

 

Advertised: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Eastern Daylight Time

Back to search results Apply nowRefer a friend


Send me jobs like these

We will email you new jobs that match this search.