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Form of work Apply now Job no: 500541
College / VP Area: College of Ag & Natural Res
Work type: Staff
Location: Newark
Categories: Research & Laboratory, Full Time
Context of Job:
The Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Delaware is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher who will work on a USDA-funded multidisciplinary project with proposed activities including upcycling agricultural and food wastes, climate-smart farming practices, chemistry and element analysis of soil and foods, characterization of biochar, fabrication of plant growth media and hydroponic farming. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work with the research team of Dr. Juzhong Tan. The incumbent will lead an interdisciplinary team of engineers, economists, researchers, and extension specialists that conducts applied research, develops quantitative methods to improve the sustainability, productivity, and safety of the food supply chain, and combat climate change. The Postdoctoral Researcher is expected to conduct lab research, greenhouse/field works, and work with relevant stakeholders in the mid-Atlantic region. The position also includes the duty of assisting the PI in managing the projects, training students, and writing manuscripts/reports.
The position will be based at the University of Delaware (Newark, DE) and will work with engineers, chemists, microbiologists, soil scientists, economists, other scientists, and policymakers on a wide range of issues related to climate-smart farming practices in a USDA funded project focusing on transforming agricultural and food biomass wastes into biochar, biochar soil amendment, fabrication of biochar based growth media, additive manufacturing, food analysis, and physicochemical analysis and characterizations of biochar. This is a multi-institutional project in collaboration with the University of California Davis, the University of Maryland College Park, the University of Florida, Florida A&M University, stakeholders, and industry collaborators.
The successful candidate must be able to work independently and as an effective member of a multidisciplinary collaborative team, manage confidential databases, demonstrate project management expertise and strong interpersonal skills and participate in grant writing initiatives.
Major Responsibilities:
Perform and participate in all aspects of the research project: laboratory coordination (ordering equipment and supplies), coordinating and designing field trials and sampling protocols, conducting field sampling and data collection, designing microbial studies (culturing, detection, and isolation of foodborne pathogens, performing physicochemical analysis and characterization by multiple analytical tools and equipment, delivering data analysis using novel bioinformatics tools, writing reports, and preparing manuscripts for refereed journal publication. Projects will incorporate a range of field trials, experimental, informatics, and computational approaches. Additional project opportunities include foodborne pathogens risk analysis, food analysis, quantitative risk assessments, and infectious disease modeling. Other activities include the mentoring of undergraduate students and graduate scholars and participation in teaching and outreach activities.
Minimum Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in plant and soil science, food science, environment engineering, civil engineering, or related disciplines with experience in the fields of biochar characterization/production, pyrolysis, soil/food analysis and characterization, microbial food safety, or engineering for water and crop management is required.
- Robust research experience in food/soil chemistry, microbiology, and engineering.
- Strong and proven record of scientific accomplishment by peer-reviewed publications.
- Strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
Preferred qualifications: The following additional qualifications are preferred: (i) Experience working on multidisciplinary projects, (ii) grant writing experience, (iii) student mentoring experience, (iv) fieldwork experience, and (v) outreach and capacity-building experience.
Document requirements
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter; please include a 'Statement of Interest and Qualification' (why you are a good fit for this position) within your cover letter.
Reference requirements
- Please provide a contact list of at least three previous/current supervisors or academic advisors who will be willing to provide a reference letter.
Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
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