Lead Computational Scientist, Animal Science

Lead Computational Scientist, Animal Science

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” inclusion and belonging are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success.

About The College

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

The Department of Animal Science offers undergraduate and graduate programs on the biology and management of food, laboratory and companion animal species. Our research programs advance our understanding of animal biology and address local and global issues facing animal industries today. Our goals are to discover and develop new techniques and information to benefit animals, agriculture and human health. Our internationally recognized faculty have diverse interests in animal management, breeding, genetics, physiology, nutrition, growth biology and microbiology.

What We Need

This position is part of a research program focused on sustainability assessment of food and agricultural systems. The Lead Computational Scientist will lead the development and maintenance of the codebase for the City Food Policy Project food commodity model (www.cityfoodpolicy.com). This role will also develop software integrations for integrated assessment models used to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of New York State, national, and international livestock production systems. Responsibilities include research software design, coding, testing, debugging, documentation, and ensuring code compatibility across platforms; database design and utilization; user needs analysis and technical support; conducting code reviews; and training staff and students on modern coding standards. The specialist will contribute to scholarly publications, grant proposals, and research reports.

This is a full-time, one-year term appointment, contingent upon available work, funding, and performance. There is the opportunity to work remotely within the United States 5 days a week.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 5–7 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Demonstrated proficiency in programming languages such as Python and R.
• Experience building and applying research models with teams.
• Experience working with database systems.
• Experience with continuous integration and deployment pipelines, DevOps practices, and agile development methodologies.
• Experience collaborating within team-based development environments using platforms such as GitHub, Slack, and other code sharing and project management tools.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities.
• Experience working with inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing programs.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Economics, or a related field; with 5–7 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly publications and experience supporting research projects, including data analysis and grant development.
• Experience with computational and analytical modeling approaches, such as agent-based modeling, statistical analysis, artificial intelligence, process and biophysical modeling, econometric methods, and data visualization.
• Familiarity with systems thinking and system dynamics modeling frameworks.
• Experience working with cloud-based computing platforms.
• Proficiency or working familiarity with programming languages and technologies such as JavaScript, ASP/.NET, PHP, SQL, and Java.
• Experience supporting or working with food system models.

Rewards And Benefits

This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the United States. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability. Benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts. Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation, 13 holidays, and two additional floating holidays. Educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.

Key skills/competency

• Computational Modeling
• Software Development
• Python & R Programming
• Database Management
• DevOps Practices
• Agile Methodologies
• Code Review
• Technical Documentation
• Grant Proposal Development
• Sustainability Assessment