Career Center

The University of Maine is offering two funded assistantships for Master’s level graduate students, starting in May or August 2023. One student will be based with the Agroecology Lab in the School of Food and Agriculture, and work under the supervision of Dr. Rachel Schattman. The other will be based in the Plant Physiology Lab in the School of Biology and Ecology, and will work under the supervision of Dr. Yongjiang Zhang. The successful candidates will be the first members of a new Fellowship program sponsored by Wyman’s. This is an excellent opportunity to work closely with an industry leader on issues related to sustainability in a changing climate. Summer work will be split between research duties and working directly with the Wyman’s agroecology team.

The Fellow working under Dr. Schattman will conduct a study of soil carbon in wild blueberry production systems. This study will quantify the ability of wild blueberry soils to store carbon at different depths, in addition to above ground carbon dynamics (measured through plant photosynthesis and soil respiration), and by doing so position the wild blueberry industry to take advantage of future payment for ecosystem service programs. The Fellow working under Dr. Zhang will evaluate applications of nanotechnology (e.g. nanocellulose) to mitigate impacts of frost damage to wild blueberry floral tissue. This study will evaluate nanocellulose technology as a potential near bloom freeze damage mitigation tool. 

Both Fellows will work part time with Wyman’s on their Agroecology Team during the summers prior to the academic program beginning, and between the first and second academic years of their program. This will entail conducting field assessments and crop productivity measurements to inform Wyman’s farm operations. 

Interested applicants should submit pre-application materials using this link: https://forms.gle/FB26cpAM6wnQWHN98. You will be asked to upload a cover letter, C.V., and unofficial transcripts. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2023. Interviews with competitive candidates will take place in February, 2023. Please contact Dr. Schattman (rachel.schattman@maine.edu) or Dr. Zhang (yongjiang.zhang@maine.edu) with any questions.

Competitive applicants will have an undergraduate degree or prior work experience in soil and/or plant science. Familiarity with agroecology, plant physiology, R programming language, and an interest gaining relevant industry experience is preferred but not required. Having a US or international driver's license (or the ability to get one prior to starting this position) and a clean driving record is required.