[ES_JOBS_NET] Job posting: Postdoctoral Researcher - Soil Organic Matter Dynamics

[Jennifer Reddell]

Please post the below on behalf of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, CA.

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Postdoctoral Researcher - Soil Organic Matter Dynamics - 80035
Organization:  ES-Earth Sciences

This postdoctoral position is for a scientist to conduct research on soil organic matter dynamics by improving soil organic matter models and using them to understand soil responses to climate change. We seek a scholar with experience in numerical modeling of terrestrial ecosystem processes and expertise in a relevant aspect of soil biogeochemistry, such as soil microbial ecology, organo-mineral associations, or biotic-abiotic interactions governing nutrient cycling. The postdoc will be part of a collaborative observational, experimental, and modeling team studying soil organic matter dynamics in two soil manipulation (warming, plant inputs) experiments in California. The main goal of the project is to build knowledge, data, and model structures that improve site, regional, and global predictions of terrestrial carbon dynamics and their interactions with climate. To that end, the postdoc may employ  a range of numerical modeling structures, from finely-resolved three-dimensional reactive transport models to the climate-scale land model CLM. The overall project is led by Margaret Torn and the modeling component is led by Bill Riley. Eoin Brodie, Peter Nico, and Neslihan Tas are leading observational efforts on characterizing microbial physiology, mineral interactions, and genomics of the soil system.

The position offers an excellent working environment as part of a skilled interdisciplinary team. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is a recognized center of excellence in land modeling, soil biogeochemistry, and climate science.

The position will require someone with strong motivation, scientific curiosity, and excellent oral and written communication skills. The project will require an applicant with a wide range of skills, such as: (1) mechanistic understanding of microbial processes and biotic-abiotic interactions in soil; (2) use of state-of-the-art land-surface biogeochemical or reactive transport models; (3) ability to develop numerical representations of complex inter-related terrestrial ecosystem processes suitable for site- and global-scale models; (4) uncertainty characterization, parameter estimation, and sensitivity analyses; (5) design of interesting modeling experiments and oral and written presentation of results; and (6) ability to work as a member of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.

Applicants are asked to upload a CV, one-page statement of research interests, up to three publications as PDFs, and contact information for three references to the LBNL application portal under position number  

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop new conceptual models and implement them into numerical land models
• Evaluate uncertainty, perform sensitivity analyses, and estimate parameters in land models
• Work as a member of a large multidisciplinary research team
• Author peer-reviewed journal articles
• Contribute to the work of others
• Work with data from field and laboratory experiments

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS:
• Recent PhD in relevant field
• Strong skills in mathematics, numerical methods, and statistics
• Use of data and models together
• Ability to present and publish scientific findings
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, including demonstration of collaborative research

PREFERRED:
• Experience working with global land/earth system models or their output
• Experience conducting field research in terrestrial ecosystems
• Experience with data assimilation or other model-data fusion techniques

NOTES: Berkeley Lab understands the postdoctoral experience in a research environment is unique. We are committed to the growth and development of early career researchers in pursuit of becoming next generation scientists and engineers.

This is a 1 year term appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs.  Salary for postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree. This position requires completion of a background check.

How To Apply
Apply directly online at http://50.73.55.13/counter.php?id=14868 and follow the on-line instructions to complete the application process. 

Berkeley Lab addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. Read about the excellent benefits at Berkeley Lab.

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. www.lbl.gov

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Jennifer Reddell
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