美国爱荷华州立大学博士后职位招聘–农业/生物系统工程、土木工程、环境科学或相关领域

Job Description: 
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: 

We announce one full time postdoctoral position (2 years, conditional with renewal) within the Water Research Quality Laboratory research groups led by Dr. Michelle Soupir in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. The focus of our research group is the sustainable development and management of our land and water resources. This position seeks an individual to lead research related to water quality improvements in agriculture and the environmental fate and transport of pollutants. Our research group is a multi-disciplinary team that integrates numerous expertise to tackle complex dynamics that connect agricultural practices and management, microbiology, water quality, and soil health. We collaborate directly with the ISU Extension and other institutions to promote the impact of our research.

New and improved engineered technologies to increase denitrification are essential to improve water quality. In the agriculturally intense Midwestern U.S., drainage networks are installed in agricultural fields, ensuring field access and crop survival, but also expediating export of N-laden waters. Denitrification woodchip bioreactors are engineered systems ideally located in the riparian zone between the crop field and stream, intercepting and treating the drainage water before discharge. Because of the N-removal efficiency, simplicity of installation, and minimal maintenance requirements, this technology has been expanded to treat discharges and runoff across broad geographic regions. Other opportunities within our team include the role of agriculture in the spread of antibiotic resistance and connections with farmers to discover solutions. 

We are now looking for a postdoc who is interested in helping to lead projects where we explore various dimensions of water quality, especially as it intersects with agriculture at the edge-of-field. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to conduct experimental research, lead projects related to the installation of unique woodchip bioreactor systems, and manage student workers who will assist with environmental monitoring. Experience with environmental sampling, culturing of bacteria, water quality analysis (N, P), instrumentation of remote monitoring sites, designing edge-of-field conservation practices are all valuable. Strong communication skills are expected as the successful applicant will frequently conduct project-related correspondence with local and state officials, as well as project sponsors. The work is expected to be highly collaborative with faculty and staff across Iowa State and at other institutions. We expect this postdoctoral research to lead authoring/co- authoring of scientific publications, present research at scientific conferences, and contribute to proposal writing.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience conducting research on woodchip denitrification bioreactors

• Experience collecting water samples and analyzing for agricultural chemicals

• Experience instrumenting remote field site for environmental data collection

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
Proposed Start Date: 
May 1, 2024