Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applicants should upload a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Position Information

Posting Number

PG191609PD

Position Number

Position Type

Post Doc

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Departmental Information

Department

140401 - Electrical & Computer Engineering

Department

140401 - Electrical & Computer Engineering

Job City & State

Position Overview

The Department of Electrical Engineering (College of Engineering) is searching for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar to join the Optical Sensing Lab (OSL). The position will be focused on advancing remote sensing technologies and environmental optics. The ideal candidate will drive interdisciplinary research at the intersection of polarimetric imaging, environmental science, and statistical analysis, with opportunities to contribute to faculty‑mentored projects and proposal development under an interdisciplinary team spanning the College of Engineering and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (primary supervisor:
Dr. Michael Kudenov with collaborators spanning fields of crop modeling, AI‑based decision support, plant pathology, crop improvement, plant physiology, and plant breeding within NC State’s Plant Science Initiative). This position aligns with our long‑term goals of expanding polarization‑based remote sensing tools and methods for applications in ecological monitoring, tissue analysis, and agricultural systems while supporting career development toward an academic or industry leadership role.

Duties and

Responsibilities include:

• Develop methodologies for Mueller matrix‑based analysis of biological tissues (e.g., plant canopies, post‑harvest produce) to assess structural properties such as sugar/starch distribution and necrosis versus healthy tissue states.
• Investigate polarization metrics in remote sensing under diverse atmospheric/sky conditions to optimize canopy health assessment algorithms.
• Partner with faculty and researchers across engineering, optics, agriculture, and environmental science to integrate polarization data into predictive models for ecological monitoring or agricultural applications.
• Co‑lead and co‑author proposals and institutional seed grants, leveraging experience in securing competitive funding.
• Help to lead projects and mentor junior researchers.
• Publish research findings in reputable journals and conferences.

Other Work/Responsibilities

As a Pack member,
you belong here
, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well‑being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

• Attend non‑revenue generating sporting events for free.

Requirements and Preferences

Work Schedule

Monday to Friday

• PhD in Optical Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in polarimetric imaging, sensor instrumentation and calibration, radiative transfer modeling, and/or statistical data analysis of remote sensing datasets.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

Experience with thermal IR systems, LiDAR, or field deployments for environmental monitoring.

• Familiarity with interdisciplinary research environments bridging optics with other disciplines.
• Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB, GRASP and familiarity with instrument control software (e.g., Internet of Things, computer networking, ARM‑based embedded systems, python, assembler, and Linux).
• Track record of peer‑reviewed journal or conference publications.

Required License or Certification

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required? No

Commercial Driver's License Required? No

Recruitment Details

Anticipated Hiring Range

$65,000 - $75,000

If you anticipate multiple hires from this search, please indicate how many.

NC State…