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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Seeking Two (2) Postdoctoral and/or PhD Students in Soil
Biogeochemistry at UMass Amherst (Naughton lab)<span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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.<span> </span>Work will be carried out
within the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, a global leader in agricultural
research and education.<span> </span>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.<span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">1. One project will be field-based at the UMass Crop and
Animal Research and Education Farm.<span> </span>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.<span> </span>The
goal is to find management solutions that enhance soil carbon and microbial
nutrient turnover while benefiting cash crop production.<span> </span>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.<span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">A strong applicant should have the following scientific skills
and other qualities:<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Educational or hands-on experience in
sustainable agriculture or soil health<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Experience with experimental design and common
statistics (linear regression, multivariate regression, non-parametric methods,
machine learning methods, blocked and nested design)<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Interest in the connection between agricultural
management decisions and soil health<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Experience with soil biogeochemical techniques (nutrient
analysis, organic carbon quantification and chemistry, texture and structure,
soil moisture, microbial activity assays)<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Proficiency with a programming language such as
R or Python<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>1-2 peer-reviewed articles in a related field<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>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<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Strong written and oral scientific communication
skills<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive research
environment<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Career aspirations in agricultural or soil
science research or extension<span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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.<span> </span>This project will explore the dynamics of
mineral-associated carbon under various redox conditions representative of flooding
or irrigation events. <span> </span>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.<span> </span>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.<span> </span>PhD applicants will also be considered.<span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">A strong applicant should have the following scientific skills
and other qualities:<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>A graduate degree in soil science, geochemistry,
geomicrobiology, or related field<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Experience with experimental design and common
statistics (linear regression, multivariate regression, non-parametric methods,
machine learning methods, blocked and nested design)<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Experience with soil and/or geochemical lab
techniques (nutrient analysis, organic carbon quantification and chemistry, mineralogy,
microbial activity and biomass assays, incubations)<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Proficiency with a programming language such as
R or Python<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>1-2 or more peer-reviewed articles in a related
field<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>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<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive research
environment<span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span>Strong written and oral scientific communication
skills <span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">CONTACT<span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Position start dates are flexible between June and August of
2024.<span> </span>Interested applicants should reach
out to the PI, Hannah Naughton, at <a href="mailto:hnaughton@umass.edu">hnaughton@umass.edu</a>.<span> </span><b>Potential graduate students should note a
02/01/2024 deadline to apply</b>: <a href="https://www.umass.edu/stockbridge/academics/graduate-degrees" style="color:rgb(5,99,193);text-decoration:underline">https://www.umass.edu/stockbridge/academics/graduate-degrees</a><span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">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.<span></span></p>
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