Colorado State University PhD Assistantship in Weed Ecology and Soil Health
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is recruiting a PhD Graduate Research Assistant to study living mulches, sustainable weed management and soil health. The position begins January 1, 2027, includes a competitive assistantship stipend and closes December 20, 2026.
Colorado State University's Weed Research Lab is recruiting a Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistant for an interdisciplinary project in weed ecology, soil health and sustainable weed management.
The Western SARE-supported research will evaluate annual living mulches as a sustainable weed-management strategy in vegetable production. The student will study physical competition and possible allelopathic effects using field and greenhouse experiments, soil-health assessments and soil metabolomics.
During the growing season, the student will work primarily at CSU's Western Colorado Research Center at Orchard Mesa and/or Rogers Mesa and collaborate with three farmer partners. Duties include establishing experiments, collecting and analysing data, preparing publications and presentations, contributing to extension materials, participating in field days and workshops, and supporting collaborative research and undergraduate mentoring.
Application route: email a CV, unofficial academic transcripts and a letter of interest to lovreet.shergill@colostate.edu. The advertised closing date is December 20, 2026, and the position is available from January 1, 2027.
Candidates selected by the supervisor must also complete Colorado State University's formal Bioagricultural Sciences Ph.D. admission process. The Graduate School states that applicants must identify an adviser and confirm funding before applying.
Benefits
- Competitive Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship stipend at current Colorado State University rates.
- Benefits associated with a CSU Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship under current university policy.
- Western SARE-supported research experience spanning field trials, greenhouse studies, soil-health assessment and soil metabolomics.
- Professional development through scientific publications, conferences, extension outreach, producer engagement, mentoring and potential proposal development.
- Possible teaching-assistant experience during selected semesters, depending on programme needs, funding and the student's interests.
Funding clarification: the advertisement confirms a competitive stipend and assistantship benefits but does not state the stipend amount, tuition coverage, mandatory-fee coverage, health-insurance terms, summer funding or renewal duration. Applicants should request a written funding offer before enrolling.
Eligibility summary
- An earned master's degree in weed science, agronomy, horticulture, plant science, soil science, ecology, biology or a related field.
- Demonstrated field, greenhouse or laboratory research experience.
- Strong written, oral, organisational and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, students, research-centre personnel and farmer partners.
- Willingness to undertake seasonal fieldwork and travel among research sites and collaborating farms in western Colorado.
- Experience with experimental design, data collection, statistical analysis and scientific writing is preferred.
- Knowledge of weed science, living mulches, soil health, allelopathy, metabolomics or sustainable agriculture is helpful but not required.
- A valid driver's licence is preferred.
No nationality restriction is stated in the advertisement. International applicants must meet CSU admission, English-language and immigration requirements.
Requirements
- Submit the initial application directly to Dr Lovreet Shergill before the advertised deadline.
- Explain preparation for interdisciplinary research in sustainable weed management and soil health.
- If selected, complete the formal CSU Bioagricultural Sciences Ph.D. application and satisfy all Graduate School requirements.
- Confirm the complete assistantship package, appointment period and renewal conditions with the adviser and department.
Documents required
- Current curriculum vitae.
- Unofficial academic transcripts.
- Letter of interest.
- Any additional statement, references, English-proficiency evidence or academic records required for the formal CSU application.
Language/test requirements
How to submit applications
Provider: Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University
Verified against the WSSA vacancy, CSU faculty profile and the official Bioagricultural Sciences Ph.D. page: https://graduateschool.colostate.edu/programs/bioagricultural-sciences-phd/
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