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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 fulltime Research Soil Scientist. 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. Contact Drs. V.R. Reddy (vr.reddy@usda.gov) or David Fleisher (david.fleisher@usda.gov) for additional information about this position.

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.

U.S. Citizenship is required. Doctorate in associated research field at time of application is required.

About USDA-ARS

As the principal in-house scientific research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has career opportunities for permanent and temporary employees. Being a scientific research agency, many of the careers available are in the life, physical, and engineering sciences. ARS employs research scientists, postdoctoral research associates, support scientists and research technicians, as well as positions in various professional, technical, administrative, secretarial and clerical, and trades and crafts occupational areas. Your work will matter • to everyday people from babies to seniors; to farmers and ranchers; to all kinds of businesses large and small; and to a future world with many more people to feed, less land suitable for growing crops and sustaining livestock, and an environment under increasing pressure from myriad sources.When we search for new people to join ARS, we look for individuals with intelligence, creativity, and energy intrigued by 21st century challenges and eager to solve them.

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