Lead Institution
CCARBON – Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (University of São Paulo)
Supervisor
Prof. Dr. Paulo Sergio Pavinato (ESALQ/USP)
Host Institution
ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
Fellowship
Postdoctoral fellowship funded by FAPESP.
Stipend: R$ 12.570,00 per month
Duration
36 months (full-time dedication/40 hours per week)
Expected Start Date
Immediate
Project Title
Plant drought stress tolerance according to phosphorus availability in soil profile
Abstract
Fertilizer application has significantly increased agricultural productivity worldwide by raising critical nutrient levels in soils to meet crop demands. However, for nutrients like phosphorus (P), only a small fraction is absorbed by plants. Moreover, water scarcity stands out as the most common abiotic stress on crops, reducing their performance and restricting both plant growth and productivity on a global scale. This research aims to investigate the main crop responses to drought stress under distinct P available levels in the soil (high, adequate and restrictive), with the ultimate goal to mitigate nutritional stress and enhance nutrient accumulation in plant tissues, resulting in better crop production and more carbon accumulation in the soil profile. In this sense, this research will develop new insights about plant tolerant to water stress under distinct soil P availability levels. In cooperation with other projects already established in glasshouse and in the field under water stress and P levels, plant parameters will be evaluated like stomata density, net CO₂ assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration and internal carbon concentration. Also, water content, chlorophyll a and b content, anti-oxidative enzymatic activity and plant biometric parameters will be evaluated. The ultimate goal is to deliver at least three research papers with a deep understanding of the physiological plant effects under drought stress and P nutrient limitations for crop production.
Project Description and Objectives
The postdoctoral fellow will investigate the main crop responses to drought under distinct P available levels in the soil (high, adequate and restrictive), with the ultimate goal to mitigate nutritional stress and enhance nutrient accumulation in plant tissues, resulting in better crop production and more carbon accumulation in the soil profile.
Core responsibilities
The research plan here proposed is to develop new insights about plant tolerant to water stress under distinct soil P availability levels. In cooperation with other projects already established in glasshouse, planned to be established from our research group at ESALQ/USP, besides some ongoing cooperation field trials (Fundação MT, Fundação ABC, etc.). Field experience in studies about nutrient management and crop development are recommended for applicants.
The main evaluations proposed are plant physiological parameters like stomata density (Frantová et al. 2024), net CO₂ assimilation rate (μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹), stomatal conductance (mol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹), transpiration (mmol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹) and internal carbon concentration (Mazar et al., 2024, and Zhang et al. 2024). Also, water content, chlorophyll a and b content (Barbosa et al., 2022), anti-oxidative enzymatic activity (Junior et al., 2017) and plant biometric parameters will be evaluated. It is well desired that the new postdoc has some experience in lab devices to evaluate the parameters mentioned above.
Moreover, quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics followed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and mean comparison tests. Data integration and interpretation will follow “element-based” and “route-based” approaches (Jamil et al., 2020), with multivariate statistical techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) used to extract information physiological plant data, variance, and covariance. On this sense, candidates with some experience on such statistics are very welcomed.
Deliverables
Generate a database and produce an interpretative meta-analysis about plant stress tolerance under P restrictions.
Reproducible code repository (training/inference/validation).
Technical report and at least three manuscript submissions; contributions to partner training and outreach.
Candidate Requirements
Mandatory
– PhD completed in Soil Sciences, Soils and Plant Nutrition, Agronomy – soil sciences, Environmental Sciences, or related fields.
– Willingness to reside in Piracicaba, São Paulo (Brazil).
– Proficiency in English for reading, writing, and presenting scientific results.
– Valid driver’s license.
– Proven experience in scientific research, with publications in international peer-reviewed journals and technical-scientific reports.
– Ability to conduct fieldwork abroad, in other states of Brazil.
– Availability for national and international travel for sampling campaigns, meetings, and training activities.
Desired (a plus)
– Proficiency in programming languages (Python and/or R)
– Knowledge of GIS and geoprocessing tools (QGIS, ArcGIS, or similar).
– Experience in collaborative and multidisciplinary research projects.
– Experience engaging with public institutions and/or local communities.
Application deadline
From September 15th to October 15th, 2025.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the link of CCARBON open opportunities:
https://forms.gle/8iXKrs1VSHEiibGB8
Additional Information
For any questions, please contact us at: pavinato@usp.br
