A PhD student position is available in the Department of Plant & Soil Sciences at the University of Kentucky, starting in the Fall semester 2020. The position is part of a collaborative USDA NIFA AFRI grant studying the impact of incorporating hemp into traditional crop rotations on soil health/function and agroecosystem services. The student will be co-advised by Professors Luke Moe and Rebecca McCulley.
Research will comprise both field work and molecular methodologies. This includes yield measurements of grain and fiber crops, in-field monitoring of greenhouse gas emission, soil physical and chemical parameters, and rhizosphere microbial community analysis using metagenomic techniques. Experience in these techniques is not required, but would be a plus. The student will have an interest in the role of microbes in soil health/function and will receive training in a wide variety of techniques.
The position is available starting in August 2020 and comes with a competitive stipend, tuition, and benefits including health insurance. Funding is available for up to 5 years. Interested parties should send a letter of interest and a CV with contact information for 3 references to Professor Luke Moe at luke.moe@uky.edu. More information about the University of Kentucky, the graduate program, hemp research at UK, and the Moe and McCulley laboratories can be found using the following links: