Professor

looking post doctoral fellow, will be working on Design and synthesis of a chitosan-based, biocompatible hydrogel for fertilizer coating material to increase nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural production systems.

The project aims to increase nutrient uptake efficiency, promote root development, enhance tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought and heat, and reduce the environmental footprint associated with nitrogen fertilization. By reducing nitrate runoff and improving nutrient retention in the soil profile, chitosan gel is also expected to contribute to water management as well and indirect greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies. Unlike traditional nitrogen inhibitors that rely solely on chemical suppression mechanisms, it will combine chitosan-based nutrient stabilization with biological activation and multiple nutrient interaction capabilities.

The product should be designed to reduce nitrogen fertilizer losses due to evaporation, leachate, and nutrient immobilization, thereby ensuring longer nitrogen availability in the soil-plant system.