Details
Posted: 29-Mar-26
Location: Ithaca, New York
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: 3-105042
Research Associate - Bovi-Analytics Lab
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 Bovi-Analytics Lab is at the forefront of digital innovation in the dairy industry, integrating artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and software engineering to enhance dairy cattle management and farm operations. Our mission is to translate cutting-edge computational research into practical, scalable solutions for modern dairy farms. We develop machine learning models, decision-support tools, and digital platforms that improve production efficiency, herd health monitoring, labor optimization, and sustainability outcomes.
We are seeking a highly motivated and collaborative Research Associate with expertise in digital agriculture, applied machine learning, and interdisciplinary research. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Dr. Miel Hostens, Associate Professor of Digital Dairy Management and Data Analytics. This position bridges advanced research and real-world deployment. The Research Associate will lead and contribute to interdisciplinary research projects, develop externally funded proposals, mentor students and junior researchers, and help operationalize AI-driven systems for the dairy industry.
Position Function
Under the direction of Dr. Miel Hostens, the ideal candidate will primarily be responsible to:
- Lead interdisciplinary research collaborations involving animal scientists, veterinarians, computer scientists, engineers, and industry partners.
- Conduct independent and collaborative scientific research in areas of GenAI and privacy preserving modeling in dairy science, ensuring methodological rigor, reproducibility, and high-impact scholarly output.
- Lead the design, architecture, and deployment of advanced AI systems, including machine learning, federated modeling frameworks, multi-agent systems, and AI pipelines for dairy farming applications.
- Develop, co-lead, and contribute to competitive grant proposals (federal, state, foundation, and industry sources), including large multi-investigator submissions, and contribute to sponsored project reporting and compliance requirements.
- Architect and maintain cloud-based ML environments (e.g., Azure, AWS, Databricks) including governance, role-based access control (RBAC), MLOps best practices, reproducible workflows, and CI/CD automation.
- Lead dissemination of scholarly outputs, publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, and present at national and international scientific conferences.
- Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and other junior researchers in AI model development, reproducible research practices, and scholarly dissemination.
- Support laboratory operations and strategic growth, including project planning, research coordination, hiring and interviewing lab personnel, and maintaining collaborative research infrastructure.
- Contribute to outreach and dissemination efforts translating AI research into stakeholder-facing solutions for dairy sector.
Anticipated Division of Time
- Research & Development - 35%
- Funding Activities - 30%
- Technical Leadership & Consultation - 15%
- Publication & Dissemination - 15%
- Lab Management & Collaboration Coordination - 5%
Required Skills and Qualifications
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
Salary:
Commensurate with experience. Hiring range for this title is $80,000 - $85,000.
Appointment: This is a full-time, 1-year term, with possibility of renewal up to 3 years pending funding, available work and successful performance. This appointment can be fully remote. There may be occasions where the RA will be expected to return to the Ithaca campus for 3-5 days quarterly. The Research Associate should be prepared and available to come to the Ithaca campus. Should this occur, advanced notice will be provided to make necessary arrangements; however, advance notice cannot be guaranteed. The Research Associate will be responsible for their travel related expenses including meal, lodging, and transportation costs to and from Ithaca, unless applicable law requires otherwise.
Supervision:
Primary supervisor is Dr. Miel Hostens, Robert and Anne Everett Associate Professor of Digital Dairy Management and Data Analytics, Animal Science
Supervision Exercised
Supervision of undergraduate student employees and research students for projects leading to senior theses and peer-reviewed publications.
To apply:
Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references via the website.
Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.
CALS hiring range for this title is $80,000 - $85,000.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Life. Changing.
Cornell's regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.
Pay Range:
Refer to Posting Language
Pay Ranges:
The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
Prior relevant work or industry experience.
Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
Academic Discipline
Unique applicable skills.
Employment Assistance:
Notice to Applicants:
EEO Statement:
Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "... any person ... any study." No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.
2026-03-27
