[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoc in Wetland Plant Ecology / Greenhouse Gas Fluxes at the University of Toledo

[Weintraub, Michael]

Position Description and Application Link: https://utoledo.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/6/home/requisition/3431?c=utoledo

The Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, OH seeks a postdoctoral research associate who will investigate plant controls on biogeochemical transformations and CO2/CH4 fluxes within coastal terrestrial and aquatic interfaces (TAIs). Coastal TAIs are complex systems characterized by a high degree of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in biogeochemical cycling often described as hot spots and hot moments. Much of the complexity is due to plant-microbe interactions that mediate the soil redox environment. The focus of this position is to advance our process-level understanding of plant-water-microbe interactions that generate spatiotemporal variation across upland-to-wetland gradients.

This position is part of the DOE funded project - Coastal Observation, Mechanism, and Predictions Across Systems and Scales - Field Measurements and Experiments (COMPASS-FME). This large project is led by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in collaboration with multiple partners, including the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) and Argonne National Lab. The COMPASS - FME project aims to understand the coupled interactions of plants, microbes, soils/sediments, and hydrology within coastal systems to inform multi- scale, integrated models from reaction scales to the coastal interface. The project's research emphasis is primarily on terrestrial and wetland processes that are influenced by coastal waters, such as the fluxes and transformations of carbon, nutrients, and redox elements through these systems. This project includes several national labs, and research institutions in the W. Basin of Lake Erie and Chesapeake Bay, affording the successful candidate the opportunity for exciting and diverse collaborations. COMPASS will hire several post-docs with complementary skills in coastal science, biogeochemistry, data sciences, and land surface modeling at all scales. This postdoc will be based at U. Toledo and focus on the Lake Erie sites.

The incumbent will work on key research directions such as:  [1] determining the rates and controls on plant and soil/sediment greenhouse gas fluxes within coastal TAIs at the Lake Erie research sites; [2] characterizing relationships between greenhouse gas fluxes, redox status, nutrient availability and environmental conditions using a combination of biogeochemical process measurements and sensor/datalogger arrays. The incumbent will also be responsible for coordinating and implementing field research, installation and sampling while co-supervising graduate and undergraduate students. Close collaboration with project partners and scientists at PNNL, LNLL, Heidelberg University and The University of Toledo is expected.

The University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution, consistent with its obligations as a federal contractor. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the University. dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, dual-career professionals and covered veterans.
Qualifications:

Education/experience/licensing:

A minimum of PhD degree in plant, soil, or wetland ecology, environmental sciences, or related discipline.
Willingness and ability to engage in intensive field research activities including spending significant time outdoors, operating and maintaining equipment, etc.
Experience studying wetland ecosystems
Experience studying plant-microbe interactions
Experience with methods to measure plant and soil CO2 and CH4 fluxes using tools such as a LiCOR 6800 and/or 7810 (including automated chamber and multiplexer) systems
Experience with Campbell dataloggers and environmental (e.g. sapflow, redox) sensors
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record
Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including experience with R
Commitment to a safe and inclusive working environment

Communication and other skills:
Effective communication skills (oral and written)
Ability and desire to collaborate with a large multi-institutional collaborative team
Ability to work without close supervision and to make decisions concerning weather conditions and other logistical factors
Ability to work closely with students, faculty and other staff to maintain research efficiency of the project.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions include field measurements and sampling on land, at times from a small boat or using waders. Exposure to harsh weather conditions including rain, wind, heat, cold, and sun. Must be able to carry gear up to 40 lbs., and launch a small craft by hand and reload to a vehicle. Must be willing to engage in long distance driving from Toledo to field research sites in Ohio.

The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the people so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.

The University of Toledo is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. The University of Toledo does not discriminate in employment, educational programs, or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, disability, familial status, or political affiliation.

The University of Toledo provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to complete this application, or for testing or

Best wishes,
Mike

Michael Weintraub
Professor of Soil Ecology
Department of Environmental Sciences
University of Toledo

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mailman.ucar.edu/pipermail/es_jobs_net/attachments/20210712/aaeab424/attachment.html>