Two PhD Graduate Research Assistantships in Plant and Environmental Sciences Two Ph.D. graduate student assistantships are available for motivated students in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University, Clemson SC. One of the projects is on agricultural sustainability, and focuses on the knowledge-based recapture and reuse of nitrogen and phosphorous in plant and animal byproducts. The primary emphasis of the project is to employ various plant-based amendments to tailor the nutrient release rates from these spent-waste materials, so as to match the nutrient demand of the crops. The applicants should have a good background in agronomy/soil ecology/soil fertility, and a strong aptitude to learn analytical and molecular techniques as required by the project.
The second project would investigate factors contributing to honey bee colony losses and decline in bee abundance and diversity, focusing on neonicotinoids. The project will develop organ-level uptake and decay curves of neonicotinoid residue for model plants using pesticides of varying degrees of mobility, and correlational matrices will be constructed to predict the bioavailability of pesticides in pollen and nectar. The applicants should have a good background in ecology/plant physiology/entomology/toxicology. Candidates with knowledge and experience in operating chromatography-mass spectrometry platforms are preferred. For both positions, candidates with a Master's degree in related fields are preferred. Candidates should be able to work independently as well as collaboratively as a part of a multidisciplinary team. Both positions are available starting immediately (Fall 2016 or Spring 2017) and offer tuition coverage and a competitive research assistantship stipend. Through a core analytical facility at Clemson University (MUAL<http://ntharay.people.clemson.edu/mual/>), the selected candidates will be provided additional professional development opportunities including training on advanced ultra-high resolution mass spectrometers, and in metabolomics and proteomics research. Interested applicants should email i) a cover letter explaining interest and experience, ii) an updated CV with GRE scores, and iii) unofficial transcript to Nishanth Tharayil ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> ). Selected candidates will formally apply through Clemson University Graduate School<http://www.grad.clemson.edu/admission/>. ********** ************* **************** Nishanth Tharayil, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Plant Ecophysiology Dept. of Agricultural & Environmental Sci. Clemson University 120 Biosystems Research Complex 105 Collings Street Clemson SC 29634 Ph: (864)-656-4453 _______________________________________
