A Research Specialist position is available in the Crop Ecophysiology laboratory (https://cropecophysiologylab.myportfolio.com) in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University, Clemson, SC, for a year.
The Research Specialist will focus on developing soybeans that can maintain high yields with limited inputs could reduce fertilizer costs for farmers and increase sustainability. Soybeans can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere in root nodules, which can potentially reduce fertilizer needs for soybeans and subsequent crops. Several super-nodulating soybean genotypes have been identified, which have been shown to form more nodules and exhibit a greater nitrogen fixation capacity under varying levels of soil nitrogen. Previous research also suggests that salt-tolerant soybeans have greater nodulation than elite cultivars, suggesting a physiological link between soil ion concentration and nitrogen fixation capacity. The goal of our United Soybean Board-funded project is to identify management and genetic factors that can affect the nodulation and nitrogen use efficiency of soybeans and develop breeding strategies to improve soybean yield under low inputs. As part of this project, the postdoc will evaluate soybean lines varying in salt tolerance and nodulation capacity for agronomic and root traits. Salt tolerant and salt susceptible soybeans will be grown in the greenhouse in mesocosms with Turface as the rooting medium, under varying nitrogen levels. The postdoc will investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizers on physiological performance, yield, seed quality, and root traits in soybeans, including degree of nodulation. Nitrogen use efficiency will be investigated by isotope analysis. Salt-tolerant lines with good nitrogen fixation qualities will be identified and incorporated into the breeding process.
The Research Specialist will also participate in other crop ecophysiology projects apart from the above soybean project. The postdoc will be responsible for setting up experiments, collecting and analyzing data, coordinating student work and other associated personnel, and writing up and disseminating results. The postdoc will work with field and lab technicians and mentor and guide graduate and undergraduate students.
JOB DUTIES:
25% - Essential - Conduct/coordinate/participate in sustainable crop production research
25% - Essential - Help manage field research
25% - Essential - Supervise graduate and undergraduate students in the Narayanan lab.
25% - Essential - Conduct/coordinate/participate in outreach and result dissemination activities
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education - 1st Bachelor's Degree - Related field and work experience directly related to the assigned research area. Education - 1st Doctoral / Professional Degree
RESPONSIBILITIES:
JOB KNOWLEDGE Fundamental Job Knowledge - Fundamental working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to apply in varied situations
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Supervises Student Workers only - Supervises Student workers only
BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES No Budget Responsibilities - No fiscal responsibility for the department's budget.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
No Work Conditions
WORK SCHEDULE:
Standard Hours: 40
JOB LOCATION:
Clemson, SC
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
October 8, 2024
CLOSING STATEMENT:
Clemson University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information.
