[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoctoral Research Scholar – Legacy Phosphorus Data Synthesis- NC State University

[Owen Duckworth]

*Position title: *Postdoctoral Research Scholar – Legacy Phosphorus Data
Synthesis



*Essential Responsibilities: *

We seek an exceptional postdoctoral associate to conduct NSF-funded
independent research in the areas of geospatial modeling, nutrient
biogeochemistry, and environmental/agricultural data analysis. The project
will involve collection and curation of soil phosphorus data, developing
models to predict soil P at high resolution across the US, and interfacing
the models with other national P models to develop inventories to develop
comprehensive P budgets. Opportunities exist to interact closely with a
group of distinguished intramural and extramural collaborators working all
aspects of phosphorus sustainability.



The position is under the direction supervision of Dr. Owen Duckworth in
the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences but will collaborate closely with
Drs. Natalie Nelson and Dan Obenour from the Departments of Biological and
Agricultural Engineering and Civil, Construction, and Environmental
Engineering. It is funded through the newly established NSF Science and
Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center (
https://steps-center.org/), headquartered at a new intersectional working
space on NC State’s Centennial Campus (https://cals.ncsu.edu/psi/psb).
Interested applicants should be available to start as soon as possible. The
position is supported through October 2024, with the possibility of renewal
with satisfactory performance.



*Qualifications:*

To start work, a Ph.D. in Biological and Agricultural Engineering,
Environmental Engineering, Soil Science, Hydrologic Science, Data Science,
or a related discipline is required. The ideal candidate will have
experience working with a programming language like R or Python, experience
with geographic information systems (GIS), experience in studying and
nutrient fate and transport, and strong technical communication skills
(written and oral).  A strong publication record is highly desirable. *We
especially encourage women and members of underrepresented groups to serve
as undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in
STEPS.*



*For more information and informal consideration: *

The position is currently open and we are seeking to fill it*
immediately*. *More
details about working on the project and within STEPS are included on Page
2*. To apply, please send a CV, a list of 3 references, and cover letter to
owen_duckworth at ncsu.edu. We will accept applications until a suitable
candidate is found.

*Working as the Legacy Phosphorus Data Synthesis Postdoctoral Scholar*

*Grand challenge: *

Phosphorus is as fundamental to life as carbon, water, and nitrogen, yet
there exist immense challenges associated with its availability,
application, management, and disposal. The world food system relies heavily
on phosphorus fertilizers, most of which originate from non-renewable
phosphate deposits. The proposed project is part of the Science and
Technology for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) center, a NSF funded
center that seeks to enable discovery and enact changes that reduce
dependence on mined phosphate by 25% within 25 years.

*The project: *

The postdoctoral scholar will participate in interdisciplinary research
with a team of scholars in multiple departments at NC State, as well as
other universities. The goal of the overall team project is to better
understand and model phosphorus export, retention, and mobilization at the
national scale. The postdoc will lead efforts associated with collecting
and curating soil phosphorus data, and developing models to predict soil P
at high resolution across the US.  In collaboration with other team
members, the postdoctoral scholar will integrate their research with a
comprehensive P budget model and data visualization efforts. This will
involve diverse skills — not only hard research skills like GIS and coding
but also soft skills, including reaching out to other collaborators and
interfacing with stakeholders.



Models developed by the team will have real impacts. In addition to writing
journal papers and presenting at relevant scientific conferences, the
postdoc will have opportunities to interact with groups that may use the
model to guide management and policy decisions. This involves working with
the Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance (https://phosphorusalliance.org/) and
technical working groups made of up of stakeholders, including producers,
policy makers, environmental groups, and industry partners.



*The people:*

Our goal is to recruit and train intersectional researchers for the type of
convergent research necessary to spur innovation that impacts the real
would. The postdoc will work with a diverse cadre of researchers working on
all aspects of phosphorus sustainability. In addition to training provided
by research mentors, formal mentoring is provided by STEPS Education and
Human Resource Development team. Likewise, the postdoc will have the
opportunity to mentor undergraduate students from the Research Experiences
for Undergraduates (REU) Program.



The essence of the strength of STEPS is the diversity in thought, culture,
experience and approach toward problem solving required to address a
societal issue that no single discipline or group can solve on its own. Our
goal is to have a diverse and inclusive Center that mirrors the population
of the United States and values the contributions and uniqueness of all
participants.

-- 
Owen Duckworth
Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry
University Faculty Scholar
3208 Williams Hall, 101 Derieux Street
Campus Box 7620
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-7619, USA
https://duckworth.wordpress.ncsu.edu/
Phone: (919) 513-1577
Fax: (919)  515-7959
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