[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoctoral Position - Environmental Geochemistry/Biogeochemistry

[Elizabeth Herndon]

Link to Job Application:
https://jobs.ornl.gov/job/Oak-Ridge-Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-Environmental-GeochemistryBiogeochemistry-TN-37830/1065303900/


Overview:

The Plant-Soil Interactions Group within the Environmental Sciences
Division (ESD), Biological and Environmental Systems Sciences Directorate
(BESSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a postdoctoral
researcher with expertise in environmental (bio)geochemistry. This
researcher will use a suite of analytical and spectroscopic tools to
understand biogeochemical processes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,
with a particular emphasis on how interactions between nutrients and soil
minerals such as metal oxides vary across redox and salinity gradients.



ORNL’s Environmental Sciences Division is an interdisciplinary research and
development organization with more than 60 years of achievement in local,
regional, national, and international environmental research. Our vision is
to expand scientific knowledge and develop innovative strategies and
technologies that will strengthen the nation’s leadership in creating
solutions to help sustain the Earth’s natural resources.



As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory,
ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest
problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our
vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to
cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and
in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is
recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for
enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific
discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security
solutions for the nation.



Major Duties/Responsibilities:

The candidate will directly support the project “Biogeochemical controls on
phosphorus cycling in urban-influenced coastal ecosystems” funded by the
DOE Early Career Research Program. The objective of this research is to
evaluate how coastal biogeochemistry is shaped by large-scale water
diversions along the Louisiana Gulf Coast.



The specific aims of this research are to (1) evaluate how soil moisture,
redox potential, and salinity vary spatially and in response to seasonal
and episodic disturbances; (2) examine how a suite of biogeochemical
solutes that include phosphorus are mobilized into soil solution across
redox and salinity gradients; (3) quantify inorganic and organic phosphorus
reservoirs within wetland soils across different seasons; and (4) explore
how mobilization of soil phosphorus responds to experimental redox and
salinity manipulations. Findings from this research will inform
process-based models being developed to simulate biogeochemical reactions
in coastal systems and will be particularly beneficial to expanding
modeling capabilities within the E3SM Land Model (ELM).



The selected candidate will have the responsibility of:

   - Independently and collaboratively leading field and laboratory studies
   to investigate metal and nutrient interactions in soil.
   - Maintaining detailed scientific records, analyzing experimental data,
   presenting results within the research group and at national and
   international conferences, and preparing manuscripts for publication in
   peer-reviewed journals.


   - Maintaining a safe work environment in compliance with safety
   guidelines.
   - Promoting a constructive and respectful work environment.


   - Delivering ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and
   interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety,
   and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by
   fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work
   together, and measure success.



Basic Qualifications:

   - A PhD in Geosciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, or a related
   field with a strong focus on terrestrial biogeochemistry, completed
   within the last 5 years
   - A strong record of independent and productive research, as indicated
   by conference presentations and/or publications in peer-reviewed journals.
   - Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a large
   multidisciplinary team, and should be able to design and execute
   experiments, perform data analyses, and interpret experimental results.
   - Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.



Preferred Qualifications:

   - Experience with application of spectroscopy (e.g., x-ray absorption
   spectroscopy) and other analytical techniques to grand challenges in
   environmental research.
   - Demonstrated ability to independently operate analytical equipment.
   - Experience conducting field work independently or as part of a team.



Contact for Position: Dr. Elizabeth Herndon (herndonem at ornl.gov)



Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to
the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before
starting their appointment. The appointment length will be for up to 24
months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and
extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.



Benefits at ORNL:

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain
talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including
medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your
family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness,
banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.



Other benefits include: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan,
401(k) Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Pet Insurance, Generous Vacation
and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft
Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health
Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation
Assistance, and Employee Discounts.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mailman.ucar.edu/pipermail/es_jobs_net/attachments/20230822/dece573b/attachment.htm>