The Prescott Lab at the Department Food Science and Human Nutrition at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to join an interdisciplinary team focused on a federally funded project to develop an agent-based model to simulate school meal environments in an effort to identify appropriate strategies to reduce food waste and improve fruit and vegetable consumption in the National School Lunch Program. We are looking for an experienced modeler to collaborate with our team that includes a public health nutritionist and behavioral economist.

The position is for two years with the possibility of an extension. Required expertise for the position includes a PhD in Computer Science, Applied Economics, Computational Social Sciences, or relevant discipline, and experience building agent-based models and using software such as NetLogo, Anylogic, etc. and/or languages such as Python or Java. The position will also require the ability to work on an interdisciplinary team and mentor graduate students.

The project funding period begins April 1, 2020, but the position can begin earlier if the applicant is available. We would consider hiring someone as late as summer 2020, if necessary.

To be considered for this opportunity, provide your CV and a cover letter to Melissa Prescott (mpp22@illinois.edu). Please include the following information in your cover letter: 1) relevant modeling skills and experiences and 2) preferred start date. Applicants who are seriously being considered for the opportunity will be asked to provide 3 letters of reference.

Applications will be reviewed immediately and until the position is filled.