Research Scientist - (Shetty)

Position Information

Position Description & Details:

North Dakota State University's Department of Plant Science invites applications for Research Scientist position with a focus on Whole Plant Stress Physiology/Metabolic Biology, advancing research innovations to improve environmental/climate stress resiliency and human health related nutritional qualities in food plants.

Responsibilities:

Research priorities for this position will focus on advancing high quality knowledge of plant metabolic biology and microbial interaction driven research in agriculture and food sciences to address pressing key agricultural challenges. This will specifically focus on essential needs of climate change-linked food and nutritional insecurities and associated public health challenges. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct collaborative research that contributes to the missions of the Global Institute of Food Security and International Agriculture (GIFSIA, NDSU). Specific responsibilities include:

• Maintain a strong program of research on improving plant development, abiotic stress resilience, and nutritional qualities of food plants using novel plant metabolic innovation for wider climate resilient food and nutritional security solutions.
• Providing critical training and support to postdoctoral research fellows and advising graduate students, undergraduate students, and student interns. Developing biologically-based analytical tools for determining dual functional benefits of plant bioactives such as phenolics for improving climate change resilience, nutritional qualities and post-harvest preservation qualities of food plants and plant-derived functional foods.
• Writing original research for publications in peer-reviewed international journals.
• Writing competitive research grants, monitoring research activities and progress and compiling reports of the funded projects.
• Building and coordinating research collaborations with national and international academic and research institutes, specifically with current global research network of GIFSIA, NDSU.
• Hosting and organizing “NDSU Annual Food for Health” conference and new workshops and certificate programs in collaborations between College of Agriculture (GIFSIA) and College of Health Professions.

Advertised Salary: $55,000

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate (PhD) from an accredited institution in plant physiology or a closely related discipline with an emphasis in whole plant stress physiology and metabolic biology by the position start date.
• The selected individual must have strong foundation and research experience in improving abiotic stress resilience and nutritional qualities of food plants using novel bio-based tools.
• Strong understanding and knowledge on global food systems specifically about the ecological and cultural relevance of ethnic food system.
• Interdisciplinary research skills and metabolic-driven understanding of agronomy, horticultural sciences, food science, nutrition, public health and microbiology.
• Outstanding record of publication in peer-reviewed journals in plant and food sciences high citations and H-index.
• Experience in research collaborations with national and international research and academic institutions.
• Ability to obtain competitive research grants and experience in supervising graduate and undergraduate student research.
• Strong communication and presentation skill, ability to closely work with agricultural commodity groups, extension personnel, and community leaders for agricultural, food, and public health solutions for the state of North Dakota.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of postdoctoral research experience in plant physiology, plant-microbe interactions, fermentation biology and functional food design for health.
• Sound knowledge on metabolically-relevant analytical tools to harness dual functional benefits of plant phenolics for wider climate change linked nutritional security and diet-linked public health solutions.
• Experience in micro-propagation and clonal screening of food and medicinal plants for health focused food and therapeutic applications.
• Experience in greenhouse, high tunnel, and growth chamber based production of horticultural and agronomic food crops relevant for indoor vertical farming system.
• Research experience and knowledge in traditional food crops of Native Americans and its importance to address food insecurity and public health disparities of contemporary Native American and wider non-native communities.
• Basic knowledge in statistical design to conduct high quality research in plant and food sciences and excellent writing skills to write proposals and journal articles.

Applicant Materials Required:

Applicants must submit: 1) a cover letter discussing how the stated qualifications are met; 2) a detailed curriculum vitae; 3) a list of publications; 4) contact information (i.e., names, phone numbers, institutional addresses, and email addresses) of three current references from the most recent positions held.

Screening will begin 1/12/21 and be open until filled

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package with includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university - with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include, wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

About Us

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. Our main campus is located in Fargo, ND with Extension Service and Research Experiment Station locations across the entire state. NDSU has been listed in the Top 100 public research universities in the United States for research and development in agricultural sciences, psychology and social sciences, based on reported research expenditures.

NDSU is an exciting place to work offering a stimulating and diverse environment richly populated with people pursuing life-long learning and personal growth. Employees often attend on-campus cultural events, lectures, athletic events and enjoy walks through our beautiful campus.

NDSU employs over 6000 full-time and part-time employees across the state, making it the second largest employer in the community. NDSU is the best college in ND, according to Money Magazine (September 2018). NDSU was named a 2019 Best Value College by Forbes. Fargo made Livability.com's top 10 list of cities to find a job and ranked at #11 for best places to live overall.

NDSU offers a wide array of professional opportunities including faculty, executive, managerial, professional, technical, paraprofessional, office support, servers and crafts/trades. Like a small city, NDSU operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Full time employees are offered a superb benefit package to include 100% company paid health insurance premiums and tuition assistance for employees and immediate family members. All of us at NDSU play an important role in serving our students and public constituencies. We encourage motivated and talented team members that thrive in a higher-ed environment to join our university!

Mission

With energy and momentum, North Dakota State University addresses the needs and aspirations of people in a changing world by building on our land-grant foundation.

Additional Information

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.