Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Managing & Adapting Agricultural Systems in a Changing Climate
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory located in Beltsville, Maryland.
The Adaptive Cropping Systems Laboratory (ACSL) applies systems theory as well as basic and applied research to the complex problem of managing and adapting agricultural systems within a background of changing climate. The laboratory carries out research to: 1) assess and understand the responses of crops to changes in carbon dioxide, temperature, light and water; 2) improve nutrient use efficiency and food safety; and 3) develop safe and beneficial uses for agricultural and industrial byproducts. Scientists in ACSL are successfully developing models, databases, and expert systems to assess and identify the complex interactions of the changing environment on crop growth, and the environmental impacts of agriculture.
Given these ubiquitous responses there is a merited interest in understanding the link between rising carbon dioxide and temperature and evaluating crop responses to climate change at physiological process level. Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will be involved in the following research activities: (1) review and assessment of current information regarding the established links between CO2/temperature, water and nutrition for cereals, with a focus on soybean, cotton, corn and rice; (2) Quantification of major physiological processes like photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, growth and development under a range of environmental conditions; and (3) determining the potential basis for CO2 induced changes in the nutritional components. This research is expected to provide a genetic and physiological basis in establishing the role of recent and projected carbon dioxide levels on qualitative and quantitative changes in various crops of importance to United States agriculture, and to link these changes to subsequent nutritional impacts.
The purpose of this project will be to develop data bases of the responses of physiological processes of crop plants to climate change. Plants will be grown in the field or in temperature controlled outdoor environmental chambers. Responses of photosynthesis, dry matter accumulation and leaf area development to atmospheric carbon dioxide enrichment, air/soil temperature and moisture availability will be determined and will be used to develop or improve mathematical equations incorporated into specific crop simulation models for a given crop species. Genotypic variation among crop species will also be evaluated with respect to various climate change variables and these findings will be used to develop specific phenotypic, molecular and biochemical markers for improved plant growth and yield.
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience, and a health insurance allowance. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at ARS in the Beltsville, Maryland, area. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
For more information about the ARS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, with special emphasis on photosynthesis research, studies on the impacts of heat stress and environmental variables on photosystems in photosynthesis.
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
If you have questions, send an email to USDA-ARS@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (USDA-ARS-2020-0147) in your email.