The employee will coordinate field and lab work associated with two projects exploring
plant and soil traits that enhance ecosystem services (nutrient use efficiency, carbon
sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions reductions and, productivity) and oversee lab
and field measurements in our on-campus organic systems trial and on-farms. Primary
duties will include management of the Soil Ecology Lab, sample collection and
measurements to determine plant and soil health, and ecosystem services related to
climate change mitigation.
Duties and Responsibilities:
--Carry out and oversee lab and field research procedures supporting plant, soil, and
environmental assessment on campus and on working farms.
--Coordinate lab and field efforts with a field technician, postdoctoral associates, and
graduate students.
--Assist graduate students, supervise, and train undergraduate research assistants and
visiting scholars involved in plant, soil and environmental analyses.
--Responsible for scheduling, recordkeeping, and purchasing for the soil ecology lab.
--Contribute to outreach and publications and conduct independent research if desired.
Minimum Qualifications: MS or BS degree in agronomy, soil science, crop science, or
environmental sciences
Preferred Qualifications: Training in soil health analysis, rainfed grain cropping
systems, and systems research
Specialty Factors: Knowledge of field crops research in the US Midwest is highly
desirable
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
--Ability to carry out field and laboratory experiments in soil science
--Ability to operate farm equipment
--Willingness to learn new protocols for soil health analysis
--Excellent organizational and communication skills
--Ability to conduct on-farm work and to communicate with farmers and other diverse
audiences
