[ES_JOBS_NET] PhD Position Investigating the Interface between Roots, Regolith, Rocks, and,Climate—the R3-C Frontier - UC Riverside

[Hoori Ajami]

*PhD Position Investigating the Interface between Roots, Regolith, Rocks,
and,Climate—the R3-C Frontier - UC Riverside*

A PhD graduate student assistantship is available in the Department of
Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Riverside starting
Summer or Fall 2022. We are looking for an independent and highly-motivated
graduate student to join a National Science Foundation-funded collaborative
project studying four key knowledge gaps at the interface between roots,
regolith, rocks, and climate (aka the R3-C frontier):

(1) In what ways do bedrock properties interact with overlying regolith to
influence the development of the soil pore networks and soil hydraulic
properties that control water flow?

(2) How does the spatial distribution of mineral weathering, influenced by
the development of pore networks from bedrock-regolith interactions,
control the manner in which roots acquire water and nutrients?

(3) How do critical zone thickness and root water uptake dynamics interact
to regulate evapotranspiration dynamics under changing water supply and
demand conditions?

(4) Do roots modify soil structure by imposing depth-dependent wet-dry
cycles that mediate aggregate-size distributions, and thus the ability of
the regolith to preserve organic carbon?

As part of this project, the student will assess the role of bedrock on the
development of macropores, preferential flow paths, and soil structure at a
long-term manipulation experiment at the Konza Prairie Biological Station
(KPBS), examine the effects of interactions between roots, soil, and
bedrock on the evolution of soil hydraulic properties, distribution of soil
chemical and physical properties, and hydrologic functioning of the
critical zone. The successful candidate will gain experience analyzing soil
moisture data collected from field sensors and conducting field work at the
four project sites (Coal Creek, CO, KPBS, Reynolds Creek CZO, and Southern
Sierra CZO), quantitatively characterize fine-scale distribution of soil
properties and morphology using digital soil morphometrics and
proximal-sensing tools such as multistripe laser triangulation scanning and
VisNIR hyperspectral imaging, and develop methods for upscaling results to
spatial resolutions appropriate for inclusion in regional and global land
surface models.

Ideal candidates will have a bachelors and masters degree in soil science,
hydrology, environmental science, geology, ecology, or closely-related
discipline, and a strong interest in pedology, soil physics, and hydrology.
Because this project utilizes data analyses, statistical modeling, and
numerical methods, a demonstrated aptitude for quantitative analysis and
programming skills in languages such as R, Python, or MATLAB are considered
essential. Experience running hydrological models is a plus as is
experience with soil judging. Candidates without a masters degree will also
be considered.

If you are interested in applying for this graduate student position please
email a resume/CV, unofficial transcripts from your bachelors and masters
institutions (if applicable), and a brief summary of your research
interests and long-term goals to Drs. Daniel Hirmas (daniel.hirmas at ucr.edu)
and Hoori Ajami (hooria at ucr.edu) with the phrase *R3-C GSR* in the subject
line. For international students, please provide either TOEFL (iBT or iBT
Special at Home version), IELTS, or IELTS Indicator exam scores.

If you are attending the 2021 ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Salt Lake
City and are interested in this position, please email Daniel Hirmas to set
up a a time to meet in person. If you are attending the 2021 AGU Fall
Meeting in New Orleans and are interested in this position, both Daniel
Hirmas and Hoori Ajami are available to meet in person; please email to set
up a meeting.
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