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Graduate Research Assistantship (M.S. or Ph.D.) – Prairie Strips Research Team – Water Quality

Position Focus: Soil and water quality of prairie strips implementation 

Project Description: The STRIPs team is composed of a scientists, educators, farmers, and extension specialists working on the prairie strips farmland conservation practice 
(prairiestrips.org). The STRIPs team is working with landowners throughout Iowa and the Midwest on implementation of prairie strips and evaluating the benefits of these on farm level implementation. The graduate research assistant will have the opportunity to engage with the team and work directly with researchers from Iowa State University and the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station.  

Position Responsibilities: The graduate research assistant will conduct soil and water related research investigating the hydrologic, water quality, and soil quality impacts of prairie strips implemented on multiple farms throughout Iowa. The individual will be involved with monitoring and analyzing water quantity and quality along with soil infiltration at six existing paired comparison sites across the state (one field with prairie strips and one field without prairie strips).  
Position Qualifications: Applicants with a bachelor’s or masters’ degree in in soil science, agronomy, natural resources, agricultural or civil engineering, environmental science, or similar program are encouraged to apply. Applicants with an interest in working in interdisciplinary teams are especially encouraged to apply. This position will necessitate excellent communication skills, self-motivation, and collaboration.  

Salary: The assistantship will be funded at a competitive level.  

Effective: Applications accepted until the position is filled with a goal of starting in the spring of 2020.  

Application Process: For questions regarding this position, contact Matthew Helmers at mhelmers@iastate.edu (515-294-6717) or Randy Kolka at randall.k.kolka@usda.gov (218-326-7715).  

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran.