Scientist - Soil Health Assessment Center​/Soil & Plant Testing Lab

Hiring Department

Soil Health Assessment Center/ Soil & Plant Testing Lab

The University of Missouri's Soil and Plant Testing Lab (SPTL) and Soil Health Assessment Center (SHAC) are seeking a Scientist to conduct applied soil fertility and soil health research and support the integration of research activities within SPTL and SHAC. This position will provide scientific leadership, oversee research and laboratory operations, and contribute to grant development and publications. Responsibilities include independently planning and executing field, greenhouse, and laboratory studies;

developing and validating methods and standard operating procedures (SOPs); analyzing and interpreting data; maintaining quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) standards; preparing publications, reports, Extension products, and presentations; and coordinating assigned phases of research projects.

The initial appointment will be a 60/40 split, 60% (3-day/week) at SHAC and 40% (2-day/week) at SPTL, but this may be adjusted as needed to support lab operations.

• Designs and conducts replicated field, greenhouse, incubation, and laboratory research in soil fertility, nutrient management, soil testing, and soil health.
• Analyzes, integrates, and interprets research and laboratory data using appropriate statistical, geospatial, and reproducible data-management methods; evaluates uncertainty and data quality.
• Develops, validates, documents, and improves sampling and analytical methods, SOPs, instrument calibrations, and QA/QC processes for the SHAC, SPTIL, and research projects.
• Prepares peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical and sponsor reports, Extension publications, figures, tables, abstracts, posters, presentations, and other scientific deliverables.
• Coordinates assigned projects and major project phases, including work plans, field and laboratory schedules, collaborators, sample logistics, documentation, milestones, and problem resolution.
• Assist with proposal development, outreach activities, Extension programs, field demonstrations, stakeholder communication, and collaborative research with faculty, agencies, and industry partners.
• Train and mentor research staff, technicians, graduate students, undergraduate students, and temporary employees; coordinate project activities and schedules.
• As with all positions, involvement with other duties and responsibilities may be expected in order to support the mission and purpose of the University of Missouri.

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (40 hours per week). However, this position requires periodic travel to off-campus research and Extension locations, including occasional extended work hours and overnight travel during the field season, as needed to support time-sensitive research, laboratory, and Extension activities.

A Bachelor's degree in related/ relevant area and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

A bachelor's degree in soil science, agronomy, crop science, environmental science, chemistry, or a closely related field is required. A Ph.D. in a relevant field is strongly preferred because of the independent research, method-development, statistical analysis, and publication responsibilities. Three years of progressively responsible experience in soil fertility, soil health, agronomic research, or soil/plant laboratory analysis is required. Experience must include experimental design, field/laboratory methods, statistical analysis, QA/QC, technical writing, and project coordination.

Relevant graduate education may substitute for experience; doctoral research may satisfy the experience requirement. A…