[ES_JOBS_NET] 2 positions, Postdoc and Software Developer, at LBL

[Charlie Koven]

We have two open positions at Lawrence Berkeley Lab, for a postdoc and a software developer, working on the NGEE-Tropics project and using the FATES model.  Descriptions below: For questions on both, email Charlie Koven, cdkoven at lbl.gov

Position descriptions and online applications are at:
https://lbl.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/postdoc-employee-1155
https://lbl.referrals.selectminds.com/jobs/software-developer-1250


Tropical Forest Vegetation Dynamics Postdoctoral Scholar:
Berkeley Lab’s Climate & Ecosystems Division has an opening for a Tropical Forest Vegetation Dynamics Postdoctoral Scholar. The incumbent will be a part of the NGEE-Tropics project which is DOE-funded effort to bring together observational and theoretical approaches to build, inform, and test the representation of tropical forests within Earth system models. For this position, we are interested in exploring how site-level and remote sensing observations of forest processes across key spatial gradients in climate and soils across the tropics can be used to develop and constrain models of forest dynamics, and how these model developments can inform projections of forest responses and feedbacks to climate change. You will combine observational synthesis, ecological theory, and numerical model development to explore the dynamics of tropical forests responding and feeding back to climate. 
 
What You Will Do:
	• Apply the FATES model, a size- and age-structured dynamic vegetation model for use in Earth system models, across site-level, regional, and pan-tropical domains.
	• Test FATES model sensitivity to uncertainty in plant traits, climate, disturbance regime, and soils.
	• Conduct statistical analyses of plant trait, forest census, carbon flux, and remote sensing data, and comparison to model results.
	• Develop FATES process representations as needed to capture key observed patterns.
	• Explore model parameter and structural uncertainty in governing feedback processes from tropical forests.
 
What Is Required:
	• Recent Ph.D. in relevant field (e.g., climate science, ecology, plant physiology, forestry).
	• Proficient coding skills in, at a minimum, data analysis languages (Python, R, matlab, etc), and ideally, in compiled languages such as Fortran.
	• Knowledge of and interest in carbon cycle, ecohydrology, and ecological science concepts.
	• Experience with analysis of both observational and model-derived datasets.
	• Ability to understand and use state-of-the-art land-surface models.
	• Evidence of ability to publish research results in peer-reviewed journals.
	• Ability and desire to work within an integrated, multi-institution team whose activities span from field research to Earth system model development.
 
Additional Desired Qualifications:
	• Experience working with size-structured or individual-based vegetation models.
	• Experience working in tropical forest ecology.
	• Availability to travel for meetings at partner institutions.
 
The posting shall remain open until the position is filled. 
 
Notes: 
	• This is a full time, 1 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 4 years paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
	• Full-time, M-F, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
	• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
	• Salary will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.
	• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
	• Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.	

Software Developer:
Berkeley Lab’s Climate & Ecosystems Division has an opening for a Software Developer. The Software Developer will be responsible for collaboratively working to support scientific users exploring feedbacks between vegetation dynamics and climate in the Earth system. The engineer will work with the FATES model, which is a size and age structured dynamic vegetation model that represents plant physiology and ecosystem assembly processes for use within Earth system models.

The incumbent will work with the FATES lead engineer, other developers and users of the FATES model to design, implement, test, and integrate improvements to the FATES model.  This position will be principally funded by the NGEE-Tropics project, which is a long-term, DOE-supported effort to bring together observational and theoretical approaches to build, inform, and test the representation of tropical forests within Earth system models. You will provide hands-on software development and application support to scientists in the NGEE-Tropics project, including collaborators at other national laboratories, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and US Forest Service.  You will also work to support scientists working on other projects that are also using the FATES model. This position may be filled at the higher level, dependent on experience.

What You Will Do:
	• Integrate, implement, and test software for land and ecosystem model processes as used in site-, regional- and climate-scale simulations.
	• Collaborate with scientific staff in developing and improving modern software.
	• Support scientific staff and develop software methods to effectively use HPC resources (e.g., NERSC).
	• Assist the team creatively to develop software that addresses land model needs over the next decade.
	• Application of visualization and analysis software packages to facilitate software development.
 
What Is Required:
	• B.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a relevant scientific discipline with experience developing land models, with minimum of 2 years of related experience.
	• Demonstrated experience with FORTRAN90 (or later), Unix, Python and git version control.
	• Experience with open-source scientific software development.
	• Full life-cycle software development experience with the ability to work with peers to define needs and priorities.
	• Ability to effectively learn and apply new technology concepts to troubleshoot and solve problems and challenges of a diverse scope.
	• Effective time management, organization, and planning skills.
	• Ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment.

Additional Desired Qualifications:
	• Experience working with geophysical or ecological models.
	• Demonstrated experience in providing support for software solutions.
	• Experience working with scientific users.
	• Experience working with continuous integration.
	• Scientific interest in understanding the links between ecosystems and climate change.

The posting shall remain open until the position is filled.
 
Notes:
	• This is a full time, 1 year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
	• Classification will depend upon the applicant's level of skills, knowledge, and abilities.
	• Full-time, M-F, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
	• Salary is commensurate with experience.
	• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
	• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
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