Position Summary

Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar (100% research) for a 12-month appointment.  The successful candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team to study environmental processes and impacts of contaminants in natural and agricultural ecosystems using computational methods such as mechanistic modeling and machine learning. The Postdoctoral Scholar will work independently and collaboratively with faculty, students, other research associates, and collaborators 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Postdoctoral Scholar will study on physical, chemical, and biological processes of environmental pollutants including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and metals in ecosystems and their ecological and evolutionary impacts on organisms. Research duties include, but not limited to, computation and modeling, preparation of reports, manuscripts, and proposals, and presentation of research at scientific meetings. Some laboratory experiments will be also necessary to complement the computational work. The Postdoctoral Scholar will help supervise graduate and undergraduate students, manage lab activities, and engage collaborators, stakeholders, and relevant communities.

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 -Soil Science, environmental science, physics/chemistry, biology or related

Minimum Requirements

A Ph.D. in soil science, environmental science, physics, chemistry, biology, or a related discipline is required. The successful candidate should have the demonstrated ability to design scientific studies to test hypothesis, conduct independent research, and publish manuscript(s) in peer-reviewed journals.

Required Application Materials

1. A cover letter describing the interest in this position
2. Current CV
3. Research statement describing research interest and future directions
4. Name and contact information for at least three(3) professional references 

Special Instructions

Additional inquiries about the position can be directed to Dr. Wei Zhang ( weizhang@msu.edu) 

Review of Applications Begins On

02/04/2026

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/

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.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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