[ES_JOBS_NET] Seeking Two (2) Postdoctoral and/or PhD Students in Soil Biogeochemistry at UMass Amherst (Naughton lab)

[Hannah Naughton]

Seeking Two (2) Postdoctoral and/or PhD Students in Soil Biogeochemistry at
UMass Amherst (Naughton lab)



The Naughton Soil Biogeochemistry laboratory at the university of
Massachusetts, Amherst, is seeking to fill two positions focused on soil
carbon cycling under diverse cover crops and soil moisture conditions.  Work
will be carried out within the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, a global
leader in agricultural research and education.  Applicants will benefit
from access to premier resources such as an agricultural research farm,
research greenhouses, lab spaces equipped for soil chemical and
microbiological work, and teaching opportunities if desired.



1. One project will be field-based at the UMass Crop and Animal Research
and Education Farm.  This project will focus on how sustainable farming
methods – including the timing, management, and choice of cover crop and
soil amendments – alter soil carbon and nutrient cycling along the rooting
profile.  The goal is to find management solutions that enhance soil carbon
and microbial nutrient turnover while benefiting cash crop production.  The
ideal candidate for this project would be a PhD applicant with an MS in
soil science, agroecology, or a related field, or with a BS degree and 1+
years of experience as laboratory and/or field technician or farm/soil
health work.



A strong applicant should have the following scientific skills and other
qualities:

·        Educational or hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture or
soil health

·        Experience with experimental design and common statistics (linear
regression, multivariate regression, non-parametric methods, machine
learning methods, blocked and nested design)

·        Interest in the connection between agricultural management
decisions and soil health

·        Experience with soil biogeochemical techniques (nutrient analysis,
organic carbon quantification and chemistry, texture and structure, soil
moisture, microbial activity assays)

·        Proficiency with a programming language such as R or Python

·        1-2 peer-reviewed articles in a related field

·        Ability to design and implement an independent research project,
including time-management, ordering equipment, managing a research team
including field techs and interns, and collecting and analyzing data

·        Strong written and oral scientific communication skills

·        Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive research environment

·        Career aspirations in agricultural or soil science research or
extension



2. A second laboratory-based project will explore the complex dynamics of
mineral-associated organic matter, a pool of carbon thought to persist
long-term in soils and thus used as a management goal and indicator of
success in sustainable farming and land management.  This project will
explore the dynamics of mineral-associated carbon under various redox
conditions representative of flooding or irrigation events.  A focus will
include how the nutrient content of the carbon and the soil environment
control its accessibility to soil microbes and thus its potential for
turnover and accumulation, two key measurements that define whether this
stable carbon enhances soil fertility and ecosystem services as a microbial
substrate.  The ideal candidate for this project would be a postdoctoral
applicant with a PhD in soil chemistry/biogeochemistry/science/ecology or
in a related field with expertise in these areas.  PhD applicants will also
be considered.



A strong applicant should have the following scientific skills and other
qualities:

·        A graduate degree in soil science, geochemistry, geomicrobiology,
or related field

·        Experience with experimental design and common statistics (linear
regression, multivariate regression, non-parametric methods, machine
learning methods, blocked and nested design)

·        Experience with soil and/or geochemical lab techniques (nutrient
analysis, organic carbon quantification and chemistry, mineralogy,
microbial activity and biomass assays, incubations)

·        Proficiency with a programming language such as R or Python

·        1-2 or more peer-reviewed articles in a related field

·        Ability to design and implement an independent research project,
including time-management, ordering equipment, managing a research team
including graduate students and interns, and collecting and analyzing data

·        Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive research environment

·        Strong written and oral scientific communication skills



CONTACT



Position start dates are flexible between June and August of 2024.  Interested
applicants should reach out to the PI, Hannah Naughton, at
hnaughton at umass.edu.  *Potential graduate students should note a 02/01/2024
deadline to apply*:
https://www.umass.edu/stockbridge/academics/graduate-degrees

All candidates should have prepared their official transcripts, CV, two
letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a TOEFL or IELTS test
if English is not their native language.
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