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The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Adaptive
Cropping Systems Laboratory located in
Beltsville, MD, is seeking an energetic permanent full‐time Research Soil Scientist. The salary for this position is $94,199.00 ‐
$183,500.00 per year plus benefits. U.S. Citizenship is required. The candidate chosen for this position will be a part of a highly
experienced, diverse, and multifaceted team whose mission is to evaluate crop responses to climate change, develop adaptation and mitigation
strategies, apply systems theory to the solution of complex, agricultural problems and to develop computer‐aided farm decision support
systems and assessment tools for environmental study and analysis.
The ideal candidate would be a systems level thinker with strong
quantitative skills. We are seeking an individual with a diverse background who would use these skills to investigate and quantify the
interaction of soil microbial community composition and metabolic activities and their subsequent influences on nutrient cycling and
availability for plant uptake/biological activities. Using a systems approach, research on the interplay of root exudates, temperature, CO2,
water/soil pore system and soil management on nitrous oxide, methane and CO2 emissions will lead to mathematical and conceptual models of
the soil biosphere. These models will consider root growth, plant nutrient use efficiency, carbon budgets, water, the macro‐ and
microbiological components and their activities and other important components of the soil ecosystem. Information and data will be linked
with existing above ground mechanistic models of crop growth for evaluation of management effects on both soil health and sustainability and
crop production resiliency. The incumbent will work collaboratively with highly recognized and cutting edge scientists from other USDA‐ARS
laboratories to obtain experimental data regarding soil biological processes from multiple locations. The incumbent is also responsible for
planning research activities, reporting to customers and scientific peers, and supporting technology transfer of products developed during
research.
Analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings will be done in the form of reports, presentations, and
publications in scientific journals.
This announcement is open from 3/29/2023 to 4/27/2023. To view the announcement and/or to apply,
please go to https://www.usajobs.gov and search for
announcement ARS-D23Y-11900870-MDK.
