"Post Doctoral Fellow"

Job Details

Job Description

The Postdoctoral Fellow will work with the Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory (SPTL) and the Soil Health Assessment Center (SHAC) under the supervision of Dr. Md Rasel Parvej. The position will focus on applied research in soil fertility and soil health, integrating research outcomes into laboratory methods and interpretation tools, and providing support for statewide and national projects related to soil and environmental quality. The fellow will contribute to field and laboratory studies, data analysis and modeling, publication of results, and development of decision-support tools for producers, advisors, and agency partners.

Responsibilities:

• Design, establish, and manage field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments related to soil fertility, soil health indicators, and nutrient management.
• Coordinate soil and plant sampling at research centers and on-farm sites and oversee associated laboratory analyses in collaboration with SPTL and SHAC staff.
• Develop, refine, and document analytical methods and quality assurance/quality control procedures for soil fertility and soil health testing.
• Compile, manage, and analyze multi-site, multi-year datasets; conduct appropriate statistical analyses and contribute to data-driven interpretation frameworks.
• Prepare peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, and Extension/producer-facing materials based on research and laboratory data.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences, Extension events, and stakeholder meetings.
• Assist with mentoring and training of graduate and undergraduate students involved in soil and plant research and lab projects.
• Contribute to the development of grant proposals and collaborative projects that leverage SPTL/SHAC infrastructure and datasets.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification:

Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Crop Science, or a closely related field by the time of appointment.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

• Demonstrated experience in soil fertility, soil health, nutrient management, or closely related areas.
• Experience designing and managing field experiments and conducting soil and plant sampling.
• Familiarity with soil and plant laboratory analyses (e.g., soil test P, K, pH, organic matter, CEC, total C/N, and soil health indicators such as respiration, POXC, aggregate stability, ACE protein, potentially mineralizable nitrogen, etc.).
• Proficiency with statistical analysis and data management using software such as R, SAS, or similar programs.
• Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications or strong potential for publishing research.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate with both scientific and producer/Extension audiences.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Interest in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students and contributing to an inclusive, collegial research environment.

Application Materials

Application Process:

Apply online at https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings, Job ID# 58263.

Applicants should upload a single PDF file that includes:

1. a cover letter describing research accomplishments, relevant experience, and future research interests;
2. a current curriculum vitae (CV);
3. contact information (addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses) for three professional references, including your current supervisor and PhD supervisor.

Closing Date:

The review of applications will begin on January 19, 2026.

Contact:

For questions about the position, please contact:

Dr. Md Rasel Parvej
Assistant Professor & State Soil Testing Specialist
Director, Soil Health Assessment Center (SHAC)
Director, Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory (SPTL)
University of Missouri
Division of Plant Science and Technology
School of Natural Resources
208 Waters Hall, 1112 University Ave
Columbia, MO 65211
Email: mrparvej@missouri.edu
Work: 573-884-2213