Postdoctoral Fellow
 Utah State University | |
$43,888, plus excellent benefits
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 United States, Utah, Logan | |
 Nov 09, 2024 | |
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Postdoctoral Fellow Requisition ID: 2024-8164 # of Openings: 1 Location: US-UT-Logan Category: Research (non-Faculty) Position Type: Benefited Full-Time Job Classification: Exempt College: College of Engineering Department: Biological Engineering Advertised Salary: $43,888, plus excellent benefits Overview We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to join our multidisciplinary research team to leverage bioactive excipients and targeted delivery to improve crop performance under abiotic stress. As a team member you will be involved in designing and conducting research, analyzing data, technical communication to share your research at conferences and in scholarly manuscripts, working with faculty, graduate and undergraduate researchers, and assisting with general lab and instrument upkeep. This position offers an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in advancing their research in an academic environment. Responsibilities The successful candidate must have strong analytical skills and attention to detail. A background in Biological Engineering, agricultural systems, plant physiology, or similar is required. The candidate will work on a USDA-NIFA funded project. This research aims to improve abiotic stress response in two grasses: wheat (Triticum aestivum) a staple food crop, and a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), through exogenous osmolyte (glycine betaine) delivery via highly porous silica or activated carbon nanocarriers capped with membrane-active Pluronic F68. (Objective-1) Develop and optimize nanocarriers for osmolyte delivery and utilization by plants. (Objective-2) Assess nanocarrier benefit to these grasses under drought stress. Motivation: Exogenous glycine betaine benefits plants under abiotic stress; however, non-target osmolyte loss (soil sorption, leaching, and metabolism by microbes) will limit efficacy under field conditions. Hypothesis: Osmolytes loaded in highly porous nanocarriers coated with a membrane-active polymer (F68), will improve their delivery (soil and foliar) and plant utilization compared to nonencapsulated osmolytes. Silica benefit as a micronutrient is anticipated. Photosynthesis efficiency, nutrient acquisition, plant mass and morphology will be measured to understand mechanisms by which plant vigor (in drought-tolerant cultivars) is supported before, during, and after droughting. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
Required Documents Along with the online application, please attach: 1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV". 2. Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application. 3. Letter(s) of Recommendation to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Documents 1-10". 4. Transcript(s) to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Documents 1-10". 5. Research Statement to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Documents 1-10". **Document size may not exceed 10 MB.** Advertised Salary $43,888, plus excellent benefits ADA Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. University Highlights Biological Engineering at USU is a top-25 ranked program in the United States with strong collaborations across the USU campus to provide the successful candidate exposure to interdisciplinary research approaches and strong mentoring and career development. Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah's counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu . About the Region U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU's main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute's 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. *updated 04/2024 https://careers-usu.icims.com/jobs/8164/postdoctoral-fellow/job?in_iframe=1 Notice of Non-discrimination In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USUs non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266 Title IX Coordinator Matthew Pinner, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266 Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, Ut 84322 For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, 303-844-5695, OCR.Denver@ed.gov Copyright 2024 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved. Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency jeid-a474466576c92a43985bfc31ec39819f | |