Graduate Research Assistantship Openings

Position: Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) for a full-time M.S./Ph.D. student is available at Clemson University. Various research projects are available with the focus on soil fertility and nutrient management for Southeastern US crop production systems. Student will have his/her own project to work on and in addition, will assist with other projects. The candidate will present his/her research work as oral presentations and posters at scientific meetings, seminars, and workshops. In addition, the candidate will be required to publish peer-reviewed journal articles.

Location: Student will complete the coursework on Clemson’s main campus or virtually, but the research will be conducted at Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, SC, one of Clemson’s off-campus research sites.

Qualification sought: We are looking for a highly motivated applicant with strong interest in field plot research and enthusiasm to work and interact in an international scientific environment. The applicant should have excellent writing and oral communication skills and the ability to work independently and as a part of a team. Ideal candidate will have prior degree(s) in agriculture or related discipline. Candidate with field and lab research experience in soil chemistry, agronomy, or microbiology will be preferred. The applicant should be a quick learner, have good time management skills, and pay attention to details. Pro-activeness is an asset.

Application details: Send a single pdf of CV, GRE & TOEFL scores, a summary of relevant experience and career goals, and contact details of three references to Dr. Bhupinder Farmaha. Screening of applicants will start immediately and the search will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. The start date is negotiable but preferred in the Summer/Fall, 2021 semester. The GRA includes tuition waiver, health insurance and an annual stipend.

Dr. Bhupinder S. Farmaha

Assistant Professor, Nutrient Management Specialist
Department of Plant & Environmental Sciences, Clemson University

Edisto Research & Education Center
64 Research Road Blackville,
South Carolina 29817

bfarmah@clemson.edu

Soil Fertility

Candidates will be required to formally apply to and be accepted by the Clemson University Graduate School.

A Ph.D. research assistantship is available in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Clemson University with a start date of Spring 2024. The project will focus on the tolerance mechanisms of peanut and soybean plants to abiotic stresses, with an emphasis on heat and salt stresses, at whole-plant, cellular, and molecular levels. The student will conduct controlled environmental experiments to study lipid metabolism in relation to heat stress responses and to identify candidate genes that can be used for breeding heat-tolerant peanut varieties. The student will also conduct controlled environmental and field experiments to understand root-related mechanisms that contribute to salt tolerance in soybean. In this research, the student will be exposed to cutting-edge technology and trained in interdisciplinary research focusing on crop abiotic stress tolerance and data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The student will work as part of a progressive and state-of-the-art Crop Ecophysiology Laboratory at Clemson University.

The applicant must have an M.S. degree in crop science, biology, agronomy, agriculture, environmental science, or related disciplines. Preference will be given to candidates with research experience in crop physiology, possessing excellent academic credentials with a proven record of scientific publications, and having good communication skills. The candidate is expected to work collaboratively as a team and must possess excellent work ethic. The position requires travel to research fields; therefore, the applicant is expected to have a valid driver's license or should plan to get one as soon as they start the program. The lab working environment is engaging, challenging, and fast-paced with ample opportunities for presenting results in professional meetings and participation in scholarly activities relevant to the research program and career goals of the candidate. The position provides a competitive stipend, plus tuition and benefits.

Interested applicants should contact Dr. Sruthi Narayanan at skutty@clemson.edu. Email your current CV, research interest, unofficial copies of transcripts, GRE score, and TOEFL score (for international students) as a single pdf file. Also forward the contact information (email, phone number, name, and designation) of three references. The applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Clemson University Graduate School and should formally apply to it.

Location: Clemson University is a land-grant university in a college-town setting along the dynamic Southeastern corridor. Ranked as one of America’s Top 25 Public Universities by the U.S. News & World Report, Clemson is characterized by high academic standards, a culture of collaboration, school spirit, and a competitive drive to excel. Centrally located in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Clemson is one of the fastest-growing places in South Carolina, and a two-hour drive from Charlotte and Atlanta.