CSES Job Positions

Several job positions are available for B.S. , M.S. and Ph.D. students

Position: Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Soil Science. Half-Time.

Qualifications: B.S. or M.S. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Ecology, Natural Resources or a related discipline.Demonstrated excellence in course work, good written and oral communication skills, and ability to work as a team member are required. Interest in pursuing a career in soil science preferred.

Employer:Kansas State University, Department of Agronomy, Manhattan.

Duties/Responsibilities: Assist with teaching in the soil science area, principally in the lab sections for introductory soils. Pursue and complete an advanced degree in a sub-discipline of soil science. Applicants can select from numerous research programs within the department.

Salary: Annual stipend is $17,262 for M.S. candidate and $19,485 for Ph.D., with health insurance and other benefits available.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Contact: Dr. Steve Thien, sjthien@ksu.edu.


Position: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Innovative Extraction Research.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Biosystems Engineering or a related field at the time of appointment with reasonable publication records. Suitable research backgrounds may include any combinations of the following: heat and mass transfer, solvent extraction, modeling and simulation, RF heating, dielectric properties, HPLC, and PEF treatment.

Employer: University of Saskatchewan, Department of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering.

Duties/Responsibilities: Job expectations include experimental and theoretical research to develop efficient extraction process/unit with the combination of Radio Frequency and Pulsed Electric Field, and active publication. The position will be for a maximum of three years with special emphasis on extraction of nutraceutical and pharmaceuticals.

Application Deadline: Applications will be considered until 15 December 2007 or until a suitable candidate is found.

Contact: Dr. Oon-Doo Baik, oon-doo.baik@usask.ca.


Position: Assistant/Associate Professor, Extension Soil Management, #SP519297

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Qualifications: Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline with an emphasis in Soil Nutrient Management, Soil Chemistry, or Soils and the environment. Sound education and training plus demonstrated experience in understanding nutrient behavior in soils, the interaction of waste materials with soils, and the ability to communicate effectively with extension and research colleagues and clientele. Previous extension experience is an asset. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Employer: University of Kentucky, Department of Plant & Soil Sciences, Kentucky Research and Education Center, Princeton.

Duties/Responsibilities: Extension (75%) and Research (25%) responsibilities. The appointee will be expected to provide statewide leadership on issues and policies relating to soils and their management in agricultural systems. Duties include: (1) development of comprehensive soils training programs for county agents, producers, agribusiness, and partner agencies, (2) communication with citizens, public officials, and others on soil and nutrient management impacts on the environment, (3) dissemination of up-to-date production technology in collaboration with present extension and research faculty, (4) providing expertise in the diagnosis of plant growth and environmental problems with potential soil causes, (5) maintaining close cooperation and collaboration with the USDA/ARS Animal Waste Management Research unit at Bowling Green, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and other university and government groups, and (6) conducting on-farm field trials. While this position has the potential and freedom to work in broad areas associated with soil management, there is a pressing need for attention to integrated crop production and environmental issues surrounding the application of animal manures, biosolids, and other materials to soil. Therefore, initially, the appointee will be expected to provide statewide leadership on issues and policies relating to soils and nutrient management in agricultural systems with a strong emphasis on management of waste materials including animal manures, biosolids, and other materials. It is expected that the appointee will develop an applied research program to address soil related agricultural and environmental concerns identified by clientele and to develop both extension and referred journal publications based on applied research efforts. The appointee is also expected to secure extramural funding to support their extension and research programs.

Salary: Competitive with other leading land grant universities.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin 07 January 2008, but will be accepted until a suitable applicant is selected.

Contact: Dr. Michael Barrett, mbarrett@uky.edu.


Position: Assistant Professor, Sports Turfgrass Management.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in turfgrass, classroom and teaching experience at the university level. Academic experience in turfgrass pathology, entomology, fertility, weed control, physiology, and experience in field plot and laboratory techniques. Effective English oral and written communication skill, demonstrated interpersonal skills and success in conducting, analyzing and publishing research results, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with clientele groups, colleagues, and scientists. Preferred qualifications include experience and success in grant writing.

Employer: North Dakota State University, Department of Plant Sciences, Fargo.

Duties/Responsibilities: 80% Teaching and 20% Research. Responsibilities include teaching and advising students in the Sports and Urban turfgrass Management Program, greenhouse and field research, collaborating with other members in the Department, and other disciplines as necessary. Teaching responsibilities will include developing and teaching new courses in Integrated Pest Management in Turfgrass, Advanced Topics in Turf Science, and Functional and Ornamental Grasses. Support of and participation in department seminars and other courses when requested is expected. Research will focus on management of turfgrass related areas, responding to the needs of the regional golf courses and athletic field managers. This will include, but not limited to pest management and maximizing turfgrass health.

Salary: Competitive.

Application Deadline: Screening of applications will begin immediately after the closing date of 07 January 2008 and will continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Contact: Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, H.Hatterman.valenti@ndsu.edu.


Position: Assistant Professor, Turfgrass Science.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Horticulture, Plant Science, Crop Science or a related field with an emphasis in and evidence of scholarly works. Excellent communication, computer, and interpersonal skills are needed. The individual will be expected to work with the turfgrass industry.

Employer: Oklahoma State University, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Stillwater.

Duties/Responsibilities: Extension: The incumbent will develop and deliver educational programming that addresses critical turfgrass performance issues as they relate to water utilization, quality, irrigation application technologies and related environmental issues. Priorities will include development of educational materials to aid in selection, use and management of turfgrass/landscape plant materials with improved drought tolerance and water use efficiency. Additionally, the individual will foster development of a certified irrigation technician program for the turfgrass, horticulture and landscape industries. This person will be expected to interact directly with horticulture industry organizations, county educators, area and state specialists, as well as Oklahoma Department of Agriculturel, Food and Forestry personnel. Participation in departmental and industry sponsored conferences, workshops, and support-related extension programming to the turfgrass and landscape horticulture industries is expected. Research: The incumbent's research will focus on identification of turfgrasses and possibly other landscape materials with suitable performance under conditions of limited water use. Additionally, the research should foster sustainable turfgrass/landscape management. Specific emphasis will be on water related issues including screening of commercially available material and OSU breeding lines for drought tolerance and improved water use efficience, and salinity tolerance. Research on water application and delivery techniques with improved efficiency aiding in conservation will be addressed. Development of best management practices resulting in improved water conservation and reducing subsequent environmental impacts will be a long-term goal. Research should contribute to the department's comprehensive Integrated Environmental Research and Education Site (IERES) efforts. The incumbent will recruit, advise, and mentor graduate students. The faculty member would participate in graduate education, chair graduate committees, and supervise thesis and dissertation efforts. Opportunities for collaboration with existing turfgrass faculty are excellent.

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience.

Application Deadline: Review of applicants will begin on 15 January 2008 and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Contact: Dr. Greg Bell, greg.bell@okstate.edu.


Position: Assistant Professor, Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Agronomy, Soil Science, or closely related area, with a strong background in soil fertility. Field research experience with soil fertility and nutrient management and a thorough knowledge of cropping systems. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences using various media. Strong leadership skills, willingness to work as a part of an interdisciplinary team with people from various backgrounds, and a strong commitment to fostering diversity in the department. Desirable: Courses, training, and/or experience in the use of animal wastes and other organic sources of nutrients, development of nutrient management plans, soil chemistry, environmental quality, hydrology, statistics and experimental design, and computer applications. Experience in extension and research and securing extramural funding. Knowledge of U.S. livestock production practices.

Employer: Kansas State University, Department of Agronomy, Manhattan.

Duties/Responsibilities: Plan, deliver, and evaluate extension education programs and conduct applied research with emphasis on soil fertility and nutrient management in cropping systems and preserving/improving the quality of Kansas soil and water resources. Interact as a member of a multi-disciplinary team developing appropriate, environmentally sound nutrient management programs utilizing fertilizer, animal waste, crop residues, and other organic by-products. Coordinate extension educational programs on soil fertility, nutrient management, and waste management with extension specialists, county agents, farm and commodity organizations, agricultural industry, and state and federal agencies. Provide leadership in developing education offerings to meet continuing education needs of extension agents, Certified Crop Advisors, and industry and agency employees. Develop a complimentary applied research program, train graduate students, and publish results in refereed journals. Secure grant funding for extension/research projects in soil fertility/nutrient management. Travel as necessary to carry out extension and research responsibilities.

Salary: Commensurate with training and experience.

Application Deadline: 15 March 2008 or until a suitable applicant is selected.

Contact: Dr. Daniel Devlin, ddevlin@ksu.edu.


Position: Post Doctoral Associate.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Geology, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, or a related field. Background in aquifer properties and/or hydrogeology is preferred. Knowledge of fate and transport of groundwater contaminants with emphasis on biologically induced chemical transformations is essential. Proficiency in Fortran, Access, Excel and MT3D/MODFLOW is highly preferred.

Employer: University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lincoln.

Duties/Responsibilities: Modeling aquifer data and verifying earlier generated spreadsheet data will be a major portion of the duties of this position. Duties will also include collection of selected field data at fuel-release sites with emphasis on very shallow groundwater quality and molecular transformations in the capillary fringe. The successful candidate may also be involved in novel remedial design of active contamination sites. The incumbent is expected to publish in referred scientific journals, present research findings at scientific meetings, and assist in drafting nationally competitive grant proposals. The successful candidate will be expected to interact as a member of an interdisciplinary research team.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline: 24 September 2007 or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Contact: Dr. Roy Spalding, rspalding1@unl.edu.


Position: Soybean Extension Specialist.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Crop Science, Agronomy or related sciences. Research and Extension experience in soybean production systems is desirable, but not required. A strong interest in production agriculture and an understanding of challenges and opportunities facing farmers, crop input suppliers, and crop utilization industries are essential. The candidate must be an effective written and verbal communicator with the ability to deliver timely, valid and appropriate crop-specific information via modern technologies to diverse audiences. Interest and/or experience in international dimensions of soybean production are desirable.

Employer: Purdue University, Department of Agronomy, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Duties/Responsibilities: The incumbent will develop an innovative and nationally recognized Extension program aimed at identifying and promoting economically and environmentally sustainable soybean production practices. Soybean is one of Indiana's major agronomic crops (4.6 million acres in 2007) with rapidly growing utilization in biodiesel production. Extension responsibilities will include the development of educational curricula for producers and agricultural professionals on soybean production technologies and associated cropping systems for traditional and emerging markets (e.g., biodiesel from oilseed crops, specialty trait markets, wheat and double-cropped soybean). The incumbent will be expected to develop a complementary and innovative research program that creates knowledge on soybean and associated cropping systems to help achieve improved sustainability. Opportunities exist for continued research and Extension programming in winter canola. The incumbent will be expected to publish in refereed journals, actively participate in graduate student training, and contribute to collaborative teaching in off-campus and campus-based educational programs in crop science. The incumbent will be expected to author newsletter articles and Extension publications, develop effective Extension education programs for adult learners, and interact with news media. Success in obtaining extramural funds for Extension and research is expected.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline: Screening of applicants will begin 01 October 2007 and will continue until a suitable candidate is hired.

Contact: Dr. Tony Vyn, tvyn@purdue.edu.


Position: Assistant/Associate/Full Professor, Sorghum Breeding.

Qualifications: Required: Ph.D. in Agronomy, Genetics, Plant Breeding or related field, with a strong background in applied plant breeding. Excellent communication skills in written and oral English. Evidence of excellence in research in plant breeding/genetics. Strong commitment to excellence in teaching. Strong commitment to fostering diversity in the Department. Preferred: Experience in applied plant breeding in sorghum or other hybrid systems. Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching. Demonstrated record of competitive grant writing commensurate with current career development. Demonstrated leadership in a team research setting. Demonstrated leadership/experience in international agriculture.

Employer: Kansas State University, Department of Agronomy, Manhattan.

Duties/Responsibilities: This individual will work independently and as a member of interdisciplinary teams to develop a nationally recognized research and teaching program in sorghum breeding and genetics. Responsibilities include leading an applied breeding program to develop and release new sorghum parent lines and germplasm that benefit farming enterprises in Kansas and elsewhere. Applied sorghum breeding activities should be complemented by basic genetic research involving germplasm characterization, gene tagging and identification, and marker-assisted selection. The K-State Center for Sorghum Improvement (KSCSI) is an interdisciplinary research program that addresses issues related to improving the profitability of sorghum production in the Central Great Plains and includes faculty working in crop production, weed science, genetics, plant pathology, plant physiology, entomology, animal science, engineering, end-use quality and other disciplines. This individual will be expected to provide leadership for, and develop strong collaborative research efforts through, the KSCSI. Through the development of this program, training of graduate students, publication of research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and securing extramural funding are expected. Teaching duties include a graduate level course in Advanced Plant Breeding once per academic year. The candidate must be able to work in a multi-cultural setting and create an environment that fosters diversity, collegiality and teamwork.

Salary: Commensurate with background and experience.

Application Deadline: 13 November 2007 or until an acceptable candidate is identified.

Contact: Roberto Ramos, rramos@ksu.edu.


Position: Assistant Professor/Research Soil Scientist/Agronomist.

Qualifications: Required: Ph.D. in Soil Science or Agronomy. Ability to conceive, plan, and implement research studies and to interpret and report results to producer clientele and the scientific community; demonstrated leadership and ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with interpersonal skills that promote interaction in a multi-disciplinary context; skills in applying computer technology to soil, biological, and environmental sensing, data analysis, and presentation; evidence of completing research projects by publishing dissertation research, presenting written scholarly work, etc. A successful candidate will have the ability to create and foster a diverse and multi-cultural environment with other scientists to integrate the impacts of agronomic and tillage systems on soil properties and fertility, crop production, water use, and economic viability. Preferred: Great Plains agricultural experience; training or experience in cropping systems, plant physiology, and crop science; evidence of publication record and grantsmanship.

Employer: Kansas State University, Agricultural Research Center, Hays.

Duties/Responsibilities: Conduct field research to investigate, characterize, and develop improved soil management, tillage practices, and agronomic crop production systems for western Kansas. Creating more profit potential for water-limited cropping systems is a high propriety. Emphasis will be on developing a mechanistic understanding of soil management and tillage practices for better understanding soil and crop responses to environmental and cultural practices. Soil science and agronomic research will be conducted independently and cooperatively with a team of scientists at WKARC and other KSU units. Expectations include providing leadership for soil science and agronomic research, collaboration in related areas, publication of results in the peer-reviewed literature in a timely manner, partnering with colleagues on joint publications and pursuit of extramural funds.

Salary: Commensurate with academic training and experience.

Application Deadline: Screening begins on 15 November 2007 and continues until the position is filled.

Contact: Dr. Robert Gillen, gillen@ksu.edu.


Position: Assistant/Associate Professor/Specialist, Weed Science.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Weed Science, Agronomy, Plant/Soil Science, or other closely related field of study. Experience and training in farm management, field research, weed science, and row crop agriculture are highly desirable.

Employer: Louisiana State University, Dean Lee Research and Extension Center, Alexandria.

Duties/Responsibilities: Full-time 12 month, tenure-track position with 75% Research (soybean, cotton, corn, and grain sorghum weed control) and 25% Extension (state-wide row crop weed control specialist). Research Responsibilities: The selected applicant will be responsible for developing a weed control research program in corn, cotton, soybeans, and grain sorghum. Research will focus primarily on, but not limited to evaluate weed control and crop response of experimental preemergence and postemergence herbicides, weed control programs utilizing newly developed herbicides, developing weed management systems, evaluation of reduced rates, adjuvants, and herbicide combinations, weed management programs utilizing genetically transformed varieties while monitoring for weed shifts and herbicide resistance. He/She will be required to collaborate with researchers and extension specialists with the LSU AgCenter system to identify critical research projects, as well as partner with industry and other universities on various studies. He/She will also be required to document and publish results from research in refereed journals and other scientific appropriate outlets. The selected applicant will be expected to pursue and secure grant funding for support of their research program. Extension Responsibilities: The selected applicant will collaborate with and provide assistance to the Extension Weed Specialist located in Winnsboro for the coordination, development, and promotion of state-wide extension education programs for row crop weed control using Best Management Practices (BMPs). This applicant will also provide assistance to annually update the LSA AgCenter's "Suggested Chemical Weed Control Guide: and collaborate with the Extension Weed Specialist in Winnsboro to deliver pesticide applicator certification programs. Participation in parish, regional and state-wide information needed by clientele is expected.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline: 10 December 2007 or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Contact: Dr. John Barnett, jbarnett@agcenter.lsu.edu.


Position: Assistant Professor/Alternative Crops Breeding Specialist.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Plant Genetics, Crop Science, or related field and a demonstrated ability to publish original research in peer-reviewed journals. Research experience and expertise in modern plant breeding techniques, ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team, and good verbal and written communication skills are also requirements. Relevant postdoctoral or private sector experience and grant writing experience are desired in candidates applying for this position.

Employer: University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Panhandle Research and Extension Center (PHREC) at Scottsbluff.

Duties/Responsibilities: Research - 75%, Extension - 25%. Research will focus on the development and establishment of alternative crops, or new outputs for existing crops, that have market potential in rain-fed and limited irrigation ecosystems of the northern High Plains (western Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, South Dakota and Eastern Wyoming). Proso millet and related crops with birdseed potential as well as biofuel crops are of particular interest. Innovative plant breeding techniques will be used to develop and release new crops and new varieties that are adapted to the region, compliment the crop rotation and provide new markets. Drought tolerance should be a key factor in developing or enhancing these crops. A secondary, but critically important, focus will be the improvement of existing crops (wheat, sunflowers, etc.). The extension program will develop and deliver educational programs focused on the establishment of new crops with new uses and markets as well as variety assessment. This specialist will collaborate with industry leaders to facilitate organizations focused on new crops and new opportunities. Research information should be disseminated as a cooperative effort with extension specialists and educators through tours, presentations, demonstration sites, and web pages. Multimedia tools and distance education are expected to complement conventional extension approaches. Expected scholarship include communication of research in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific conferences, supervision of graduate student research, publication of extension bulletins/circulars, and development of educational programs that effectively convey research findings. Acquisition of grant funding to support research and extension programs will be needed to maintain active programs that meet expectations for tenure and promotion.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin on 15 December 2007 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Contact: Dr. Mark Lagrimini, mlagrimini2@unl.edu.


Position: Research Associate in Environmental Watershed Management.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Soil and Water Sciences or Agricultural Engineering.Strong written and oral communication skills, demonstrated publication record and experience with determining the impacts of watershed management on nutrient loss agricultural lands to surface and ground waters.Additional experiences that would be preferred include:Demonstrated interaction with farming communities, on-farm research experience, innovative P tracer techniques (e.g., 018:P rations, sediment fingerprinting, rare-earth element analysis).

Employer: University of Arkansas, Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Fayetteville.

Duties/Responsibilities: Conduct laboratory, field plot and farm scale research to develop and assess innovative Conservation Practices aimed at decreasing nutrient loss (particularly P) in runoff from poultry/beef farming systems in Northwest Arkansas. The incumbent will function as an independent researcher in a multidisciplinary group that is quantifying and verifying nutrient loss reduction efficiencies of nutrient management planning strategies at farm and watershed scales, and will be responsible for conducting experiments, analyzing data, and reporting results at professional meetings and in appropriate referred publications. Contribution to securing extramural funding is expected.

Salary: $45,000 to 50,000. Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed starting 30 November 2007 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Contact: Dr. Andrew Sharpley, sharpley@uark.edu.