APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please to complete the . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please to complete the Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete .Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see .This position is funded for 1 year(s); continuation past 1 year(s) will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.POSITION SPECIFICSThe Entomology Department in the at is hiring a PlantVillage Food Project Manager.The Food Project Manager position at PlantVillage, represents a critical role in implementing an innovative 4.7M DKK project that will transform school meal monitoring in Kenya through AI-assisted technology. This position will lead the development and deployment of the PlantVillage Food app, which uses computer vision and large language models to provide real-time diagnostics on food and nutrient intake in school meals. The role involves managing technical teams developing AI models, overseeing the creation of a 5,000-image food database, coordinating mobile app improvement, and working closely with international partners including IFPRI, KEMRI, and the University of Ghana.The Program Manager will be instrumental in piloting the technology across urban, rural, and displaced settings in Kenya, developing training protocols for field staff, and ensuring the successful integration of AI-assisted monitoring systems within Kenya's national school meal program.Responsibilities:Assist in the development and lead the implementation of AI-assisted food recognition technology, including overseeing technical teams working on computer vision models, portion estimation algorithms, and the integration of large language models for the PlantVillage Food app.Manage partnerships and coordinate activities with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, IFPRI, KEMRI, the University of Ghana and the University of California, Davis, ensuring effective communication and alignment of project goals across international partners.Oversee the creation and curation of food image databases of commonly consumed foods in various countries, ensuring proper tagging, validation, and integration with the AI models.Direct the mobile application development process with integrating feedback and maintaining the application for various research use cases.Develop and implement training protocols for field staff on the use of the PlantVillage School Meals app, including creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for school-level data collection.Analyze pilot study results and coordinate improvements to the application based on field feedback, working with technical teams to implement necessary adjustments.Monitor project budget and timeline, ensuring deliverables are met according to the defined project phases and reporting requirements.Represent PlantVillage in technical meetings and internationally to present progress and findings.MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS If filled as Research Project Manager - Intermediate Professional, this position requires: Master's Degree 1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None If filled as Research Project Manager - Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree No prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education. Required Certifications: NoneThis position is hiring specifically for skills and experience related to food composition and nutrition, international school meal programs, computer vision and AI, and technical writing. This position will require availability for domestic and international travel.BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.SALARY & BENEFITS The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $56,200.00 - $89,600.00.- Information on Penn State's salary structurePenn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our .CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICSPursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review .EEO IS THE LAWPenn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
