Soil Quality Research Positions

Raymond Weil (rw17@umail.umd.edu)
Tue, 30 Jul 96 23:26:46 -0400

Hello Sanetters,

I expect to have funds for two research positions to fill as soon as
possible. Please post these announcements where they are likely to be seen
by suitable potential applicants. We are getting a new project of the
ground to build on several years of work regarding effects of management on
soil organic matter quality. The University of Maryland is an equal
opportunity employer, so all qualified people, and especially women and
minorities, are encouraged to apply for these positions by contacting me on
e-mail or by fax at the address below.

Thanks.

Ray Weil

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Position Announcement
*****Faculty Research Associate*****
in
Soil Quality for Sustainable Agriculture
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20782

Position: Half-time Research Associate in Soil Fertility/Biology working on
a project to develop a soil test for active organic matter as a tool for
assessing soil quality.

Purpose and Responsibilities: The purpose of this position is to provide
technical support and organizational leadership within a team of researchers
working with farmers in the mid-Atlantic area to develop an index of soil
quality and a practical soil test procedure for active soil organic matter.
Both lab and field experimentation will be conducted, including on-farm
experiments. Support for this project comes from several sources, including
a USDA/SARE grant, the Soil Quality Institute of the NRCS, and
environmental non-profit organizations. This position can provide
opportunities to take graduate classes and pursue the Ph.D. degree at the
University of Maryland. Research responsibilities will likely focus on the
active organic matter analysis phase of the project. This position will
provide a challenging opportunity to hone professional skills, develop a
record of scientific publication, and make a significant contribution to
soil husbandry and agricultural Sustainability in the mid-Atlantic region.

Qualifications: A Masters or Doctoral degree in Soil Science, Ecology,
Agronomy, Horticulture, or closely related field. A solid background in
inorganic and organic chemistry, preferably also in soil organic matter
chemistry. Course work or research experience in soil microbiology and
ecology is desirable. Good laboratory, computer, statistical (including
multi variate analysis), writing and organizational skills are required. A
demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture and a desire and ability to
communicate effectively with farmers would be a plus.

Salary and Benefits: This is a half-time position, contractual position.
Half time may be defined as 2.5 days/wk of work on the project, or possibly
as 6 months/yr. In return the successful applicant will receive an annual
salary of $16,000-18,000 plus medical coverage, and other benefits. There
is also the possibility that this position could expand to a full time
position, if performance, mutual interest and funds warrant.

Application: For best consideration, please contact Professor Ray Weil by
E-mail (rw17@umail.umd.edu) or FAX (301-314-9041) with a letter of
application summarizing why you are interested in the position and how your
background qualifies you for the work. A complete application should be
sent by mail and must include a resume, complete university transcripts,
letters of reference from three referees, and evidence of GRE scores. You
may also enclose reprints or preprints of any publications authored
(including an abstract of the Master's Thesis). We would prefer to fill this
position by September 30. Applications accepted until August 16, 1996.

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Position Announcement
Graduate Research Assistant
in
Soil Quality for Sustainable Agriculture
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20782

Position: Graduate Research Assistant to pursue a MS or Ph.D. in Soil
Fertility/Biology while working on a project to develop a soil test for
active organic matter as a tool for assessing soil quality.

Purpose and Responsibilities: The purpose of this position is to provide
technical support and organizational leadership within a team of researchers
working with farmers in the mid-Atlantic area to develop an index of soil
quality and a practical soil test procedure for active soil organic matter.
Both lab and field experimentation will be conducted, including on-farm
experiments. Support for this project comes from several sources, including
a USDA/SARE grant, the Soil Quality Institute of the NRCS, and
environmental non-profit organizations. This position will provide
opportunities to take graduate classes and pursue an advanced degree at the
University of Maryland. The thesis or dissertation will likely focus on
soil quality aspects of the project. This position will provide a
challenging opportunity to hone professional skills, develop a record of
scientific publication, and make a significant contribution to soil
husbandry and agricultural Sustainability in the mid-Atlantic region.

Qualifications: A B.S. or MS degree in Soil Science, Ecology, Agronomy,
Horticulture, or closely related field. A solid background in inorganic and
organic chemistry, soil fertility, and soil physics. Course work or
research experience in biological and physical properties of soil is
desirable. Good laboratory, computer, statistical, writing and
organizational skills are required. A demonstrated interest in sustainable
agriculture and a desire and ability to communicate effectively with farmers
would be a plus.

Salary and Benefits: This is a half-time graduate research Assistantship
requiring 20 hrs/wk of work on the project. In return the successful
applicant will receive an annual stipend of $11,000 to 13,500 plus full
medical coverage, tuition remission, and other benefits.

Application: For best consideration, please contact Professor Ray Weil by
E-mail (rw17@umail.umd.edu) or FAX (301-314-9041) with a letter of
application summarizing why you are interested in the position and how your
background qualifies you for the work. A complete application should be
sent by mail and must include a resume, complete university transcripts,
letters of reference from three referees, and evidence of GRE scores.
Contact the University of Maryland Graduate School (phone:
301-405-4190/4198; FAX:301-314-9569) for official application forms and
procedures.
Ray R. Weil
Professor of Soil Science
1103 H.J. Patterson Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
USA

telephone: 301 405 1314
FAX: 301 314 9041
e-mail: rw17@umail.umd.edu