Location: Genetic and Sustainable Agricultural Research Unit
USDA-ARS, Mississippi State/Starkville, MS 39759
Duration: 2 years
Salary: GS 11, commensurate with experience
Duties: The postdoc will be responsible for conducting field or simulation studies on agricultural water management in soybean, corn and cotton production systems in the US Southeast humid region. In order to achieve this goal, he or she will apply existing models to simulate soil water movement and balance, runoff, percolation, rainfall interception, infiltration, evapotranspiration, root water uptake, plant growth, LAI and canopy cover using data already obtained from rainfed and irrigated cropping systems of soybean, corn and cotton in Mississippi. The successful candidate will need to conduct soil-plant-atmosphere-water relation study to obtain necessary data that are not available for calibration and validation of models. The knowledge gained will be used to improve soil and crop management practices and irrigation management that will help to sustain or increase agricultural productivity and profitability while reducing adverse impacts on soil and water quality. Incumbent will carry out simulations using agroecosystem process-based models such as APEX, SWAT, RZWQM2, DSSAT, etc. to assess the effects of management practices (irrigation, fertilizer, manure, cover crops, tillage) or/and climate variability and change on grain yield, water and nutrients use efficiency, soil quality, greenhouse gas emission, leaching and runoff of nutrients loss and sediments to water bodies. The candidate will be expected to write peer reviewed journal articles, present at meetings, and participate in proposal writing and field work activities.
Qualifications: It is an interdisciplinary research. A Ph.D. in a relevant field such as soil and water science, agrometeorology, hydrology, water resources and management, agricultural engineering, agronomy, plant science, environmental science or ecology.
Starting date: any time in 2017, the position will remain open until filled.
Employment eligibility: U.S. Citizens or certain U.S. Permanent Residents as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B).
How to apply: Submit a statement of research interests and goals, one-page abstract of Ph.D. dissertation, curriculum vitae, copies of all transcripts, and a list of 3-5 references to Dr. Gary Feng at Gary.Feng@ars.usda.gov. USDA/ARS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
