There are a variety of options available to assist you with funding your college education. The University’s Office of Financial Aid can assist you with determining your eligibility for scholarships, grants, and loan options, as well as how to apply for each. As a student in the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, you may qualify for scholarships within your college and department. Applications are due in early spring and complete scholarship information can be found on the CALS Scholarships thru the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WISH). Looking to pick up a part-time job? The UW Student Jobs website has a wide range of on- and off-campus opportunities to choose from. International students should also check out the International Student Services (ISS) Office for details about funding and scholarships. Additional resources include the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office and the Nelson Institute Community Environmental Scholars Program.

Summer 2022 – Undergraduate Opportunities:

• Agroecology Summer Job
• Field Crops Plant Path Summer (National Predictive Modeling Tools Initiative, NPMTI, project)
• Vegetable Entomology & Field Crops Plant Pathology Programs

Applications to graduate studies act as the application for financial support. Offers of financial support accompany most offers of admissions for student admitted to Soil Science. Most students hold research assistantships (RAs), but some may hold fellowships or teaching assistantships (TAs). The availability of these appointments are limited. They carry a stipend, a remission of tuition, and the option to participate in a health-care plan comparable to that available to faculty. A posting of open assistantship positions with the department may also be located below.

Funding options for international students:

International students should refer to the International Applicant Financial Information website when preparing the applications. International students should submit their financial information only after a favorable admission decision has been made.

Employment regulations for international students can be found on the International Student Services (ISS) website.

Teaching Assistant (TA) appointments and requirements:

Although paid teaching assistant (TA) appointments are rare within Soil Science, there are many opportunities on campus to secure such a position. Students supported by TA positions should contact their advisor for a list of potential departments to contact. Teaching appointments require additional training as outlined below.

• Students should plan to complete the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) – College of Engineering (COE) Collaborative for Engineering Education and Teaching Effectiveness (CEETE) TA training prior to beginning a TA appointment. This 1.5-day training is offered just prior to the start of the Fall and Spring terms.
• Graduate Assistants Equity Workshops are required of all TAs prior to or during the first semester of a TA appointment.
• SPEAK Test – UW System policy requires non-native English speakers to demonstrate proficiency in spoken English before they are assigned classroom duties as a teaching assistant. The SPEAK test is used to evaluate the spoken English of International TAs. The test is available only to enrolled students holding or under consideration for a teaching assistantship.

Additional opportunities to consider:

Students are also encouraged to consider applying for a Graduate School external fellowship, CALS Fellowships, and CALS Scholarships.

Continue to check for new opportunities regularly.

Soil Carbon Scientist with USDA-ARS

This is a well-supported position with an excellent group and great facilities. I would be happy to answer any questions about it. N.B. This position does have a U.S. citizenship requirement.

ARS-D22MWA-11445665-HCL    Research Soil Scientist

The incumbent is a Research Soil Scientist in the Soil, Water, and Air Resources Research Unit in Ames, IA. As a team member of the research project “Optimizing Carbon Management for Enhancing Soil and Crop Performances”, the incumbent will be responsible for designing, conducting, interpreting, and reporting research quantifying the effects of agricultural management practices on soil physical properties and soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics.

• Series 0470 GS-12/13
• FPL: GS 15
• Opens: Wednesday, April 6, 2022
• Closes: Friday, May 6, 2022

The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is interviewing for two international affairs fellows.  OCS is a subcabinet level office supporting extensive cross-Department and USG interagency coordination. The areas of responsibilities of these positions includes agricultural science, research and international affairs. The positions are GS-12/13, Schedule A hire for a two-year term, renewable for up to a total of four years.  As a Federal employee, fellows would receive Federal benefits and would be eligible for within-grade increases as prescribed in OPM guidance. The fellows lead on policy issues in their portfolio in support of the USDA Chief Scientist and engage in broad-ranging USDA and interagency coordination on a range of topics. The two positions will be international affairs advisors to the USDA Chief Scientist.  The fellows are under the administrative and technical direction of the Deputy Director of the Office of the Chief Scientist and work with, and report to, the OCS Senior Advisor for International Affairs. 

In particular, these two fellows positions will support the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), with one position specifically focused on AIM for Climate activities with developing countries. Qualifying experience includes familiarity with U.S. foreign policy, climate policy, and international affairs, experience with U.S. interagency coordination, stellar organization and writing skills, ability to work in a fast paced office and a dynamic policy environment.  Strong preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate a working knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation with respect to global agriculture and food systems innovation, equity, sustainability, as well as other topics at the intersection of global hunger and the climate crisis.

The team would like to bring one fellow on as soon as possible and the other position is likely to start late Summer/early Fall. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.  Details from other Federal Departments/Agencies may also be considered, but a minimum 12 month commitment would be required. These positions may be considered for remote or telework posture. USDA has a generous telework policy, more details available here.

To apply, please send a resume (not to exceed 3 pages) and one-page statement of interest no later than May 15 to OCSpolicy@usda.gov. Statements of interest may be addressed to Jaime Adams, Senior Advisor for International Affairs, USDA Office of the Chief Scientist. 

There are no vacancies at this time.

There are no vacancies at this time.

Assistant Professor in Environmental Soil Chemistry (application window currently closed)