MS Research Assistantship in Plant Science/Soil Science

Plants, Soils & Climate

psc assistantship

Description

The minimum acreage for urban farms is now one acre in Utah. To sustainably farm at that scale, growers must target premium high-value crops that are locally adapted and use intense management to maximize returns. As a result, cut flowers are rapidly increasing across the Mountain West, as this crop has minimal land requirements and is redefining the profit potential for small acreages. Research is needed, however, to establish local cultivation information that efficiently increases production under high-elevation and semi-arid conditions, particularly as the US West experiences severe drought.

The USU Small Farms Lab in the Department of Plants, Soils, and Climate (PSC) at Utah State University is seeking a motivated and passionate MS graduate student to conduct an in-depth field study that quantifies irrigation requirements of cut flower crops with the use of environmental sensors. The student will gain research experience on a multidisciplinary team and through USU Cooperative Extension by learning to transfer findings into unbiased, usable information that addresses critical and emerging challenges for growers.

Qualifications

  • BS relating to agriculture. This could include Agronomy, Agribusiness, Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Education, Biology, Horticulture, Plant Sciences, or Soil Science.
  • Undergraduate research experience in field study, data management, and analysis is preferred.
  • Ability to work both independently and within an interdisciplinary research group is required.
  • An interest in working with environmental sensors and dataloggers to conduct soil physics-related calculations is required; prior experience is a plus.
  • USU School of Graduate Studies requirements: https://psc.usu.edu/students/future-graduate-students

Graduate Research Assistantship (RA) Stipend Information

  • MS Program (Plan A) in Plant Science or Soil Science
  • MS stipend – $24,000 annually, with tuition, plus health insurance available.
  • Start Date – Fall 2022 to Spring 2023.

More Information