Position Summary

How plants set their priorities when they are challenged with combinatorial stress conditions such as nutrient starvation and defense? This project builds on our recent findings on phosphorus (P) starvation and combinatorial stress responses.

One of the most essential nutrients for plant growth is P. Sources of environmental P are limited, and P deficiency stress causes yield losses and/or poor crop quality. Microbes are also a serious threat to global food security. Up to 20% of the yield is lost to microbial infection every year, which, if mitigated could feed hundreds of millions of people. Whether plants consider rapid nutrient changes as a proxy to the presence of pathogens, and activate immune responses are currently unknown.

This position will be filled by hiring a highly motivated person to study how plants (Arabidopsis, selected crops) perceive changes in the availability P and/or pathogens in the growth environment. System genetics will be extensively use.  Duties will also include coordinating with graduate students as needed and overseeing undergraduate students who will be working on these projects.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

Ph.D in Plant Physiology or related field, the Ph.D. must be completed at the time of employment.  expertise in system/computational biology approach is needed. Skills in compiling, analyzing and summarizing results in preparation for writing reports, manuscripts and articles for publication and incorporating results into presentations are also required.

Required Application Materials

Applications must include: 

Cover letter specifying are of focus
Research Statement 
Contact information for three professional references 
Current Curriculum Vita 

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin May 

Review of Applications Begins On

05/14/2021

Website

psm.msu.edu

Department Statement

MSU has a vibrant plant science community comprising of more than 150 faculty members conducting a wide range of plant research spanning the lab-to-field continuum in both natural and agricultural ecosystems. PSM is a multi-disciplinary department with faculty appointed in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR http://www.canr.msu.edu/)

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.