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<p><b>Postdoctoral Researcher Position Investigating the Interface
between Roots, Regolith, Rocks, and,Climate—the R3-C Frontier -
UC Riverside</b><br>
</p>
<p>A postdoctoral researcher position is available in the Department
of Environmental Sciences at the University of California,
Riverside. This position is split between two laboratories within
the Department: the Catchment Hydrology and Spatial Analysis Lab
(<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.hooriajami.ucr.edu/">https://www.hooriajami.ucr.edu/</a>) and the Pedology Lab. We are
looking for a highly-motivated, independent researcher to join a
collaborative, NSF-funded project to address four key knowledge
gaps at the interface between roots,<br>
regolith, rocks, and climate (aka the R3-C frontier):</p>
<p>(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?<br>
(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?<br>
(3) How do critical zone thickness and root water uptake dynamics
interact to regulate evapotranspiration dynamics under changing
water supply and demand conditions?<br>
(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?</p>
<p>The successful candidate will lead the hydrologic modeling
experiments using R-SWMS, ParFlow.CLM, and EcoSLIM at four of the
project sites (Reynolds Creek CZO, Coal Creek, CO, Konza Prairie
Biological Station, and Southern Sierra CZO) and assist with the
analysis of proximal sensed imaging (multistripe laser
triangulation and VisNIR hyperspectral scanning) of soils and
regolith samples. The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to
participate in field work, laboratory analysis, and regular and
annual project meetings as well as lead papers stemming from this
work. This position will provide the successful candidate with
professional development opportunities (e.g., modeling, field
work, and laboratory analysis) within the context of a highly
collaborative and interdisciplinary team. In addition, this
position will provide multiple opportunities to mentor
undergraduate and graduate students focused on interdisciplinary
careers in STEM and participate in the development of learning
materials centered around the findings in this project.<br>
</p>
<p><b>Qualifications:</b><br>
The successful candidate should hold a PhD degree in soil science,
hydrology, critical zone science, ecosystem ecology, or related
field with a demonstrated record of quantitative research
experience. The candidate should have experience with hydrologic
modeling, analyzing complex datasets using scripting languages
such as R, Python, or MATLAB, and have a record of publishing in
peer reviewed scientific journals. Candidates with proximal or
remote sensing experience applied to soils are<br>
preferred. Candidates must have received a PhD within the past
five years from an accredited college or university.</p>
<p><b>Application contents:</b><br>
- One page cover letter describing the applicant’s research
experiences and interests<br>
- Curriculum vitae<br>
- Names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers for 3 references</p>
<p><b>Contact:</b><br>
Applications or informal inquiries can be sent to Dr. Hoori Ajami
at <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:hooria@ucr.edu">hooria@ucr.edu</a> and Dr. Daniel Hirmas at <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:daniel.hirmas@ucr.edu">daniel.hirmas@ucr.edu</a>
with R3-C POSTDOC as the subject line.<br>
</p>
<p>UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally
diverse undergraduate student body. Its mission is explicitly
linked to providing routes to educational success for
underrepresented and first generation college students. A
commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.</p>
<p>The University of California is an Equal Opportunity /
Affirmative Action Employer with a strong institutional commitment
to the achievement of excellence and diversity amount its faculty
and staff. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability,
protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by
law.</p>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Hoori Ajami
Associate Professor of Groundwater Hydrology
Department of Environmental Sciences
University of California, Riverside
Room 2322 Geology
Riverside, California 92521
Office: (951) 827-4778
E-mail: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:hoori.ajami@ucr.edu">hoori.ajami@ucr.edu</a>
Web: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://envisci.ucr.edu/faculty/ajami.html">http://envisci.ucr.edu/faculty/ajami.html</a></pre>
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