Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

Position Summary

The Kravchenko Lab in the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to conduct research focused on the impact of drought on plant roots and their interactions with soil.

The experimental component of the position will involve field soil and root sample collections from multiple experimental sites aimed at better understanding how different plant systems contribute to soil carbon interactions under drought. The project involves 13C plant labeling, root structure analysis, and X-ray computed micro-tomography.

Job duties: 

1. Conduct field soil sampling
2. Analyses of root scans and measurements of soil properties 
3. X-ray computed tomography scanning of soil samples and image analyses 
4. Analyses of the collected data 
5. Publication results in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national/international conferences 

The position is for one year with a possibility of a renewal on per annual basis contingent upon funding and/or satisfactory performance.

Target starting date is January 2027 or as soon as possible after that. 

As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches. 

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage. 

The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Soil Sciences or Related

Minimum Requirements

PhD in Soil Sciences or Related 

Required Application Materials

CV/Resume

Name and contact information for Three (3) Professional References

Special Instructions

Inquires regarding position should be directed to Dr. Alexandra Kravchenko (kravche1@msu.edu) 

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.