Project Scientist Positions

The Soil Health Institute announces project scientist positions

The Soil Health Institute seeks up to six project scientists to help identify and develop soil health measurements as well as help manage its comprehensive evaluation program that relates soil health to quantified productivity, economic and environmental outcomes on long-term agricultural experimental sites across North America.

Interested scientists may contact:

ptracy@soilhealthinstitute.org
(208) 315-7000

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Project Scientist (6 positions)

Soil Science/Crop Science/Agronomy/Microbiology/Range Science/Ecology

Term: 2 years

The Soil Health Institute (SHI), a non-profit organization created to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soil through scientific research and advancement, located adjacent to the Research Triangle Park (RTP) near Raleigh, North Carolina is seeking up to 6 Project Scientists to participate in a project to evaluate soil health indicators at long-term agricultural experimental sites across North America.  The diverse team of scientists will help conduct and manage the SHI’s initiative to identify and develop widely acceptable soil health measurements, standards, and a comprehensive evaluation program that relates soil health to quantified productivity, economic and environmental outcomes.

All Project Scientists will work in a geographically-dispersed team designed to collect soil samples and evaluate the utility of soil health indicators for quantifying changes in soil properties as influenced by management, climate, production system, and other parameters across North America.  Depending upon candidates, these 2-year positions may be staffed at SHI headquarters in Morrisville, North Carolina, or at remote locations (university, federal or private facility) as mutually agreed upon by the SHI, respective location administration, and the successful candidate.

Duties Include:

• Engagement and project coordination with assigned regional long-term agricultural site leaders (15-25 sites per scientist) to evaluate soil health measurements and their relation to productivity, economic and environmental outcomes.
• Participation and coordination with experimental site personnel, soil sampling and data collection from partnering long-term agricultural sites for soil health indicators in different stages of development.
• Develop critical analysis and review of measurements, as well as existing soil health evaluation indices and programs at the regional (individual) and North American (team) level.
• Contribute as the project team’s disciplinary lead for a specific area of expertise.
• Prepare and publish findings for scientific and agricultural producer/field practitioner audiences.
• Travel extensively during the site sampling phase of the project.

Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Soil Science, Crop Science, Agronomy, Ecology, Range Science, Soil Microbiology, or related disciplines.
• Research experience in soil health, agronomy, agricultural production and resource management at the field and laboratory levels.
• Expertise in field sampling design and statistical analysis is highly recommended.

Application Materials Required:

• resume/curriculum vitae;
• college transcripts;
• 3 references with contact information, including telephone number.

Questions, contact and/or send application materials to:

Paul Tracy, Ph.D.
Project Manager, Soil Health Institute
ptracy@soilhealthinstitute.org
(208) 315-7000