Environmental Soil Physics: Dr. Wei Zhang
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EmailResearching emerging contaminants in soil, water and plant systems by multidisciplinary approaches in environmental soil physics, chemistry and biology. We aspire to provide sciences and solutions for ensuring clean, safe and healthy soil, water and food.
Faculty Profile: https://www.canr.msu.edu/people/wei_zhang
Research Opportunities:
Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship - Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University
Position: A Ph.D. graduate research assistantship (GRA) position (1/2 time) is available immediately to study environmental processes and impacts of emerging contaminants. We are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated individual interested in multidisciplinary research on environmental emerging contaminants. Specifically, this doctoral student will study interactions between proteinaceous infectious particles (prions) and porous carbon sorbents through computational chemistry and data science methods. The student will collaborate with a team of environmental physicists, chemists, and microbiologists to engage in innovative research important to human and environmental health. The assistantship includes stipend, tuition and fees, and health benefits (https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/degree_cerficate_programs/graduate_programs/assistantships). Graduate study is tailored to individual student who will major in Crop and Soil Sciences and have flexibility to pursue Environmental Toxicology Track, Environmental Science and Policy Dual Major, and other related dual majors.
Qualifications: Applicants must have earned a BS or MS degree with a strong background in physics, chemistry or biology. A MS degree is preferred but not required. Prior experiences in computational chemistry such as density functional theory and molecular dynamics are desired. Applicant should have a strong work ethics, and an excellent ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with others.
Application Procedure: Qualified applicants should contact Dr. Wei Zhang at weizhang@msu.edu. The following materials are expected in a formal application: 1. Personal statement; 2. Curriculum vitae; 3. Academic transcripts; 4. GRE (optional) and/or TOFEL scores; 5. Contact information for three references. This GRA position is open until filled and strong applicants should apply early.
Michigan State University (MSU) is a land-grant university and one of the top research universities in the world committed to engagement and solving community and global problems. The Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences (PSM) is an internationally recognized department that uses science to promote an equitable, economically and environmentally sound, sustainable agricultural system and ecosystem in Michigan, the nation, and the world. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are important, interdependent components of everyday life and are critical to our pursuit of academic excellence in PSM. Our aim is to foster a culture where every member of PSM feels valued, supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals. This includes providing opportunity and access for all people across differences of race, age, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, migratory status, disability/abilities, political affiliation, veteran status and socioeconomic background.
