[ES_JOBS_NET] Soil Organic Matter Postdoctoral Scholar, Berkeley Lab's Climate & Ecosystems Division

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

Soil Organic Matter Postdoctoral Scholar - 85420

Organization:  CE-Climate & Ecosystems

 

Berkeley Lab's Climate & Ecosystems Division
(https://eesa.lbl.gov/our-people/division/climate-ecosystem-sciences) has an
opening for a Soil Organic Matter Postdoctoral Scholar focused on
understanding the microbial role in soil organic matter (SOM) formation. You
will use multiple approaches, including laboratory and field measurements
and modeling, to characterize the physiological response of microorganisms
(both site-derived isolates and whole communities) to hydrological
perturbation within the tropics. The central objective of the proposed work
is motivated by two critical uncertainties concerning the short- and
long-term stability of soil organic matter (SOM): 

. What are the microbial mechanisms that lead to the formation and evolution
of SOM, and contribute to its stability and persistence?

. How are these processes affected by hydrological perturbation. 

 

The project will employ multi-scale laboratory and field experiments to
manipulate the soil pore water in a manner consistent with soil drying.
Laboratory experiments will include the design and fabrication of
microfluidic devices abstracting the soil pore structure and replicating the
heterogeneity of soil chemical gradients and temporal perturbation. Further
soil microcosms will establish whole community responses to soil drying and
provide better connections to a drought experiment being conducted by
project collaborators in Panama. The response of the microbial community and
individual isolates to hydrological perturbation will be assessed using
infrared spectroscopy and detailed genomic and metabolomic approaches, and
feedbacks to soil organic matter formation evaluated using geochemical
analyses (including spectroscopy). This project will leverage facilities
available at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (including the Advanced
Light Source), and work closely with collaborators at the Berkeley
Synchrotron Infrared Structural Biology (BSISB) group, UCLA, and the
Smithsonian Tropical Forest Institute. 

 

What You Will Do:

. Use multiple approaches, including laboratory and field measurements and
modeling, to characterize the physiological response of microorganisms (both
site-derived isolates and whole communities) to hydrological perturbation
within the tropics.

. Employ multi-scale laboratory and field experiments to manipulate the soil
pore water. 

. Design and fabricate microfluidic devices abstracting the soil pore
structure and replicating the heterogeneity of soil chemical gradients and
temporal perturbation.

. Communicate regularly and work with other researchers on this project in
order to facilitate progress toward program goals.

. Work carefully but efficiently in order to meet project goals in a timely
manner.

. Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals.

. Present research results to internal groups and at large national and
international meetings.

. Work within an interdisciplinary team of soil scientists, biogeochemists,
microbiologists, and modelers.

 

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

. Dynamic energy budget modeling.

 

What is Required: 

. Ph.D in Earth Science, Soil Science, Environmental Microbiology,
Environmental Chemistry, Biogeochemistry or a closely related field.
Significant laboratory and analytical experience. Strong computational
skills for analysis of genomic or  biochemical data.

. Experience with soil microbiology (including stable isotope probing,
metagenomics and metabolomics).

. Experience with and soil geochemical techniques to characterize soil
organic matter (including spectroscopy), and soil hydrological approaches. 

. Ability to work effectively with scientists of different disciplinary
backgrounds and serve as a communication nexus.

 

Additional Desired Qualifications:

. Experience with microcosm & microfluidic design, construction, and
operation. 

. Experience with synchrotron-based infrared measurements and analyses. 

. Experience with microbial and land modeling.  

. Experience with FT ICRMS and other emerging organic matter analytical
approaches.

 

The posting shall remain open until the position is filled.

 

Notes:

. This is a full time, 2 years, 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
3 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.

 

How To Apply

Apply directly online at http://50.73.55.13/counter.php?id=138355 and follow
the on-line instructions to complete the application process. 

 

Berkeley Lab (LBNL,http://www.lbl.gov/) 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.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal
Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will
receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin,
disability, age, or protected veteran status. Berkeley Lab is in compliance
with the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4
(https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/PayTransparencyNondiscrimination.html). Click
here (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf) to
view the poster: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law".

 

 

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