Post-doctoral Researcher

Tennessee State University • Nashville, TN

42d

About The Position

The College of Agriculture at Tennessee State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist with a primary focus on horticulture and Controlled Environment Agriculture. The position will perform professional-level work in scientific research and Extension. The successful candidate will join a dynamic teaching, research, and extension team to work on an innovative Crop Specific Nutrition Research for Improvement of Agriculture produce project. This project focuses on the interaction of macro and micronutrients with environmental stress on the physiology of plant growth and yield quality in food crops. The research involves unique techniques, including hydroponics, crop specific nutrient formulation and soilless crop management systems. The role requires the ability to conduct and maintain research projects in various environments, including laboratories, computer-controlled environments and field conditions.

Requirements

• An earned Ph.D. in horticulture, plant science, agriculture science, biological sciences, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated proficiency of both oral and written English.
• Proven experience, skills, and knowledge in: Fertilizer chemistry.
• Hydroponic production and specific plant nutrient formulation.
• Plant physiology, with an excellent understanding of methodologies for measuring/estimating plant nutrient and water status, and gas exchange.
• Greenhouse and field research techniques.
• Climate Improvement Agriculture instrumentation and interfacing techniques.
• Ability to build computer mathematical models for controlled environment applications.
• Expertise in experimental design and statistical analysis using software such as SAS or SPSS.
• Demonstrated publication record.
• Proficiency in the use of computer and software applications, including cloud data management.
• Proven work ethic.
• Currently hold, or have the ability to obtain, a valid driver's license and a pesticide license.
• Willingness to travel.
• The ability to work in uncomfortable outdoor conditions (snow, rain, extreme heat and cold) and tocarry up to 50 pounds (23 kg).

Responsibilities

• Planning and executing field and computer-controlled environments experiments, including data collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting
• Conducting and maintaining research projects in laboratories, controlled environments, field and container production.
• Operating and managing computer-controlled environmental agriculture.
• Utilizing and possessing knowledge of scientific instruments such as ion chromatographs, controlled-environment gas exchange and fluorescence measurements and biosensors.
• Producing peer-reviewed publications from both ongoing and previously conducted research.
• Providing support for current and future Climate Improvement Agriculture research projects and outreach programs for the Center of Excellence at the College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University.
• Supervising and interacting with undergraduate and graduate students and technicians.
• Writing and presentation research reports and grant proposals.

Benefits

• Tennessee State University offers eligible employees a competitive benefits package that includes annual leave (vacation), sick leave, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement, flexible benefits plans and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees