🌱 Graduate Research Assistantship in Cover Crops at the Florida International University
🔍 The Agroecology Program at Florida International University (FIU) invites applications for a graduate research assistantship (PhD level) in urban cover crops. This USDA-NRCS-funded research focuses on studying Crop Rotation and Cover Crop Influence on Urban Agriculture Farms using Sensor and Geospatial Technologies.
📅 Preferred Start Date: Fall 2024, with the possibility of an early start if required.
🔬 Research Focus:
– Field experiments in the FIU organic garden and urban vegetable and fruit farmers’ fields.
– Adoption of sensor-based soil and plant management.
– Implementation of proven remote sensing technology for efficient agricultural resource management.
🎓 Qualifications:
– B.S. and/or M.S. degrees in soil science, agronomy, environmental science, ecology, microbiology, biology, or related fields.
– Experience in geospatial and soil-associated research.
– Strong academic performance, and oral and written communication skills.
– Proficiency in geospatial skills (Arc GIS, ERDAS, ENVI), analytical instrumentations, drone operation, lab management, and mentoring undergraduates are desirable.
– Prior publication record is a criterion for the Ph.D. position.
📝 Responsibilities:
– Work with soil and crop sensors, remote sensing, GIS, unmanned aerial systems, soil and plant sampling, chemical analysis, spatial data management, and analysis.
– Design and execute research experiments, collect and analyze field data, and produce project reports.
– Present research findings at conferences and extension events.
– Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and extension publications.
💼 Benefits:
– Tuition waiver, annual stipend typical of the department, and health insurance.
– Travel to research fields and a valid driver’s license are required.
📆 Application Deadline: December 31, 2023
📧 How to Apply:
– Contact Dr. Maruthi Sridhar Balaji Bhaskar at [email protected] or 305-348-3471.
– Enclose current CV, unofficial transcripts, GRE and TOEFL scores (if applicable), and contact information for three references.
🔗 Additional Information:
– Department of Earth and Environment: https://lnkd.in/dDHDvgCK
– Graduate Admissions at FIU: https://lnkd.in/dzNbCrys
#GraduateResearchAssistantship #CoverCrops #FloridaInternationalUniversity