Research Specialist - Plant & Environmental Sciences - Clemson University : Job Details

WELCOME TO CLEMSON!

Clemson is calling...are you ready to answer the call?

One of the most productive public research universities in the nation, Clemson University attracts and powerfully unites students, faculty and staff whose greatest desire is to make a difference in the lives of others.

Clemson has recently been named a top 25 public college in the country by the Wall Street Journal, a top South Carolina employer by Forbes and a Military Friendly Employer for five years running. Through our research, outreach and entrepreneurial projects, Clemson University and its employees are driving economic development and improving quality of life in South Carolina and beyond.

So,... are you ready?

JOB SUMMARY:

A Research Specialist position is available in the Crop Ecophysiology laboratory ( 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

5% - Use hands or feet to operate or handle machinery, equipment, etc

25% - Communicate, converse, give direction, express oneself

WORKING CONDITIONS:

No Work Conditions

WORK SCHEDULE:

Standard Hours: 40

COMPENSATION INFORMATION

Anticipated Salary Range: $39,000 - $55,000

Salary is dependent upon several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's previous experience, knowledge, skills and performance in accordance with Clemson's compensation guidelines.

ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL LEVEL

Normal Operations

Required to follow emergency facility closure directives, and not normally expected work on-site during emergency situations.

JOB LOCATION:

Clemson, SC

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

October 30, 2024

MILITARY AND VETERAN:

MILITARY EQUIVALENCY:

Clemson University is proud to allow educational equivalency for military technical certifications and trainings that directly relate to the job duties.

VETERAN PREFERENCE:

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

State policy for veteran preference states that for qualifying, full-time permanent positions, a veteran applicant may receive preference if they meet the job's minimum qualifications, were discharged under honorable conditions from the military, and submit their DD-214 for confidential review by the Office of Human Resources.

To claim Veteran Preference for qualifying positions, email [email protected] upon submission of your application.

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.

Apply for Job

* Careers

* Sign In

* New User