Position Announcement: Graduate Research Assistant
Position Announcement
Graduate Research Assistant
Master of Science in Agriculture with option of Plant and Soil Sciences (MS)
The Center for Conservation Research, School of Agriculture, Research, Extension, and Applied Sciences (AREAS) at Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi, is seeking a motivated graduate student to conduct conservation research to precipitate struvite in animal waste by applying the United States Army’s advanced composting technology for the production of E. coli free, slow-release, and environmentally-friendly manure to boost organic fruit, vegetable, and nut production in throughout the nation. The Center for Conservation Research of Alcorn State has the largest C-factor (cover and management) database on horticultural crops with over 130,000 readings on 37 crops. The information generated is used around the world for erosion prediction, nutrient management, and conservation planning, and also to prevent soil erosion and climate change.
Alcorn, the oldest 1890 Land-Grant University in the nation, was the first among the 105 Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCUs) to offer Agricultural Science education in 1871. Alcorn is also credited as the first HBCU to offer employment to the legendary and first African-American Plant and Soil Scientist, Dr. George Washington Carver in 1895. Alcorn is located near Mississippi river between two great historical cities—Natchez on the south and Vicksburg, the last city to surrender in the civil war, on the north. Alcorn campus represents multicultural diversity with students, staff, and faculty from over 30 countries, and enjoys the subtropical climate. It is located just five miles away from two historical roads—Natchez Trace, one of the oldest roads in the nation built by Native Americans, and Hwy 61, one of the oldest in the south connecting Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Memphis, Tennessee. Alcorn is 40 miles away from I-20, one of the busiest interstate highways in the south, connecting Atlanta, Georgia, and Los Angeles, California.
This research program is supported by the United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Agriculture Research Experiment Stations, greenhouses, orchards, vineyards, nut plantations, research plots, and state-of-the art laboratories. The student should complete the M.S. thesis under the supervision of Alcorn faculty and U.S. Army scientists in 24 months and will be paid $18,000 annually. Requirements: B.S. in plant and soil sciences (Agronomy/Horticulture) or related field with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and sound background in field and lab research. The recipient must be U.S. citizen. Contact: Girish K. S. Panicker, Ph.D., director of conservation research & associate professor, Center for Conservation Research, School of Agriculture, Research, Extension, and Applied Sciences, 1000 ASU Dr 1079, Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS 39096. Tel: 601-877-6598/3372/2204. E-mail: [email protected]