Assistant Professor of Soil Science - Lincoln University of Missouri

Purpose:

The Assistant Professor of Soil Science will focus research on the soil rhizosphere processes (soil-plant nexus) to enhance climate resilience of agroecosystems through adaptation and mitigation strategies that improve resource use efficiency, sustain productivity, restore soil ecosystem services and improve carbon sink capacity. We are specifically interested in candidates who will conduct research on soil plant-microbial interactions to address the critical/emerging local, regional and national issues in agricultural and environmental sciences. The successful candidate for this position is expected to work closely with Lincoln University farm employees, extension educators, farmers, ranchers, and industry partners. This is a 12-month, non-tenure track, and full benefit eligible faculty position with 100% (1.0 FTE) research appointment.

Essential Job Functions:

• Conduct innovative field/laboratory/greenhouse research to identify climate-smart agricultural management strategies which hold the potential to improve overall soil function (e.g., promote nutrient cycling, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, suppress soilborne pathogens, etc.
• Write grant proposals for extramural and competitive funding to support Soil Rhizosphere/Microbiome Research.
• Publish research findings in scholarly peer-reviewed journals.
• Recruit and supervise graduate students.
• Collaborate with faculty within the University and other institutions and contribute to relevant professional societies.
• Provide department, college, and university service or any other duty as needed.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Any other duties as assigned by the faculty member's department, college, and/or the University.

Qualifications:

• PhD. degree in Soil Microbiology/Microbial Ecology, Soil Biogeochemistry, or a closely related field is required.
• Research experience using experimental techniques in soil-root systems is required.
• Candidates should have demonstrated research experience relevant to field-scale management of agricultural and natural ecosystems.
• Post-doctoral research experience is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics:

• Expertise in several of the following areas is desirable, nutrient biogeochemistry, microbiology, soil carbon dynamics and permanence, soil health methodology and frameworks, application of modeling techniques, and ecosystem remediation and restoration.
• Interpersonal, effective oral and written communication skills, willingness and ability to work in a team-oriented environment with a diverse group of faculty and student population are essential for this position.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to work in cold and hot environmental conditions.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Lincoln University. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.