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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">We are seeking a Ph.D. research assistant to join an interdisciplinary team at the University of Florida working on organic row crops and forages of North Florida.
The Ph.D. student will be chaired by Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (Sustainable Nutrient Management Systems lab (</span><a href="https://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/sustainable-nutrient-management-systems/" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">https://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/sustainable-nutrient-management-systems/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">).
The research assistant will conduct field and laboratory work to measure the effects of different systems (row crops vs. forages, reduced tillage or not) in organic systems. The primary focus will be on crop growth and productivity, nutrient cycling, and soil
health. The assistantship is expected to start in Spring of 2025 and includes a twelve-month stipend and full tuition coverage over a four-year period.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">The research assistant will focus on several of the following areas:<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- Crop growth and yields of row crops used for grain and/or forage, as well as cover crops;<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- Nutrient cycling, including nutrient cycling rates and nutrient budgets;<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- Soil health, including measurements of different soil carbon indicators;<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- Other research focus areas chosen by the research assistant to develop independent research that is complementary to measurements and experiments conducted
as part of the main project. <o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">The successful applicant will have all or some of the following:<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- A degree in soil sciences or plant sciences (e.g., Agronomy) – a MS degree is preferred but applicants with a BS and a strong record of relevant work experience
will be considered;<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- Experience conducting field work in agroecosystems, ideally sampling crops and soils; <o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- Experience with field and lab protocols related to crop growth and nutrition, soil fertility, and soil health;<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- Experience with basic statistical analyses (regression, ANOVA), ideally in R, and interest in expanding data analytical skills to more advanced methods;<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- The capacity to work outside in hot and humid conditions during the Florida summer;<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">- A valid driver’s license – a valid US driver’s license is preferred, although applicants with a valid international driver’s license that can obtain a US license
within two months of the start of the position will be considered.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">Before applying officially, interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry (</span><a href="mailto:maltaislandryg@ufl.edu" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">maltaislandryg@ufl.edu</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" class="">)
directly with a CV, a one-page letter of research experience and interests, and contact information (no letters required) of three referees, all in pdf format. Interested applicants should reach out by August 12, 2024, and be ready to formally apply to the
Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences and/or the School of Natural Resources and the Environment by September 1, 2024. Only selected applicants will be encouraged to formally apply.</span></p>
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