Job offers 16 Jan. 2018
Postdoctoral position in critical zone modelling within the OZCAR, French Critical Zone Observatory network
Location: The supervision of the work will be performed by the leaders of OZCAR WP2 “Data-model interface” and the postdoc will be located either in Paris, either in Lyon, according to the candidate profile.
The French OZCAR (Critical Zone Observatories- Application and Research) Research Infrastructure gathers observatories monitoring various compartments of the critical zone and encompass disciplines such as hydrology, hydrogeology, cryosphere studies, land-surface-atmosphere exchanges, peatlands. It gathers several hundreds of researchers, engineers and technicians sampling very instrumented sites. Modelling is a suitable tool to check the consistency of the data and to extend the knowledge acquired in the experimental sites to other sites. It also offers a suitable background for interdisciplinary thinking and the coupling of various processes, studied independently by various disciplines. It also allows comparative studies between instrumented sites in different geological and hydro-climatic contexts. More info here.
PostDoc in integrated crop modelling opening at Müncheberg, Germany
The candidate is expected to work in a project of the International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP) on improving traits for increasing wheat grain yield together with partners from the University of Florida, INRA, CIMMYT andothers. Particular emphasis of the research at ZALF is on the scaling up of promising traits from the plant/crop to the regional scale and on the quantification of the related uncertainty. In addition, the candidate will support modelling activities at ZALF in the field of climate change impact research with particular emphasis on abiotic stresses such as heat and drought considering options for management adaptation.
We are offering a full-time position temporarily limited to 3 years at our location in Müncheberg as
Post-doc Researcher (m/f/d) for integrated crop modelling in the context of climate change and food security, beginning 1 March 2019. More info here.
PhD in Hydrological Remote Sensing of Tropical Peatlands "Hydrological Change in Tropical Peatlands" (KU Leuven, Belgium)
Over the last decades, tropical peat soils turned into hotspots of greenhouse gas emissions of global climate relevance. Huge amounts of carbon and nitrogen that accumulated under permanently wet conditions over geological time scales are currently released due to agricultural drainage and large-scale disturbance of hydrological conditions. Future management of tropical peatlands will have a big impact on climate change through 2100 and beyond.
The major science innovations of the PhD project will include the advancement of the peatland hydrology module of a global-scale land surface modeling framework and the development of an inverse modeling and data assimilation approach that optimally merges land simulations and satellite data over peatland areas. A keen interest in remote sensing and mechanistic modeling of environmental processes is crucial for the success of the project.
The PhD research will be supervised by dr. Michel Bechtold, prof. Gabrielle De Lannoy and prof. Jan Vanderborght. More information on the research division: https://ees.kuleuven.be/bwb/index.html
"I would like to draw your attention to an exciting open PhD position in Gabrielle's data assimilation group in Leuven.
In the PhD project, we want to exploit the information from peatland hydrological modeling and remote sensing data to investigate "Hydrological Change in Tropical Peatlands". "
For further information: https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/54972624
PhD in deep soil carbon dynamics at CEH, UK
Recent research has highlighted how important the subsoil (below 0-15 cm) is for overall soil integrity. You will investigate the role of topsoil and subsoil when exposed to drought and heatwaves across the UK’s different soil types and land-uses. You will learn environmental measurements in the field. This will include the planning and organisation of UK-wide field soil sampling to depth (1 m), the measurement of plant biomass, soil physical measurements and decomposition studies. Laboratory measurements will include soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus; you will plan and execute a laboratory process study on soil monoliths where water content is manipulated. You will learn to work with, analyse and interpret large datasets and long-term data originating from the literature, our climate change experiments, and national monitoring programmes. At the end of the project, you will have developed a holistic understanding of soil stability under environmental change.
For further details please contact the primary supervisor Dr Sabine Reinsch at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in Bangor, North Wales (sabrei@ceh.ac.uk).
http://www.envision-dtp.org/2018/deep-matter-soils-and-their-power-to-fight-climate-extremes/
PhD in soil viral diversity, dynamics and functions at CEH
Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on the planet and represent the greatest reservoir of genetic diversity on Earth. Their numbers greatly exceed those of bacteria and fungi in almost all environments and their role in regulating host population size is well established in mammalian systems. However, in comparison to other organism groups, our knowledge of viral behaviour in the environment is extremely poor and their diversity remains vastly unexplored.
The overall aim of the studentship is to determine the structure and functional significance of the soil virome. This is an exciting area of research and will provide the student with unique skills and opportunities. Specifically, we will use the latest technologies to explore the environmental diversity, activity and function of viruses in the terrestrial biosphere. This is a missing component of biological food webs and it’s vital that we get to know more about this topic.
Applicants should hold a 2:1 degree or above in a subject related to this PhD project including: Biology, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Agriculture, Biotechnology.
For further information please contact Prof. Davey Jones (d.jones@bangor.ac.uk).
http://www.envision-dtp.org/2018/exploring-the-unexplored-soil-viral-diversity-dynamics-and-function/
PhD Fate of xenobiotics in the agro-environment at Hebrew Uni, Jerusalem
The objectives of the PhD project are to study the fate (adsorption-desorption, transport and degradability) and plant uptake of active pharmaceuticals introduced to arable land via irrigation with treated wastewater and/or biosolids application. The study will be performed in lab to field scales in Israel at the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The expected results will improve our understanding about processes affecting the fate of pharmaceuticals and personal and home care products in the agricultural environment. Local as well global aspects including human health risk are expected. More info here.
Several Open PhD positions at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Germany
In cooperation with the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry houses a unique and flexible research program that grants German and foreign students a broad selection of learning opportunities while still maintaining a research focus. The International Max Planck Research School for Global Biogeochemical Cycles (IMPRS-gBGC) offers a PhD program specializing in global biogeochemistry and related Earth System sciences.
Application deadline for these fully funded PhD positions is February 6, 2018. Top candidates will be invited to take part in our recruitment symposium (April 1-2, 2019).
Find out more and apply online: www.imprs-gbgc.de
PhD project - “Developing a Multi-Pollutant Water Quality Model for Spatial Targeting of Land Management Interventions to Reduce Water Pollution”
A fully-funded PhD project is available on “Developing a Multi-Pollutant Water Quality Model for Spatial Targeting of Land Management Interventions to Reduce Water Pollution” supervised by Prof. Andrew Wade (University of Reading), Dr. Miriam Glendell, Dr. Ina Pohle (James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, UK) and Dr Leah Jackson-Blake (JHI and NIVA).
The project aims aims to quantify the response of carbon, nitrogen, sediment and phosphorus in river-systems to small-scale pollution mitigation measures. The application deadline is January 4th 2019. Project details and the application process can be found here https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/scenario-developing-a-multi-pollutant-water-quality-model-for-spatial-targeting-of-land-management-interventions-to-reduce-water-pollution/?p103615.
PostDoc in coupled hydrologic-agricultural economic systems at Uni of Montana
The Regional Hydrology Lab in the Geosciences Department and the Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group (NTSG), both at the University of Montana, invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher. The candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. John Kimball and Dr. Marco Maneta to exploit remote sensing derived estimates of crop yields and water use to drive a hydro-economic modeling framework to investigate how farmers allocate land and water resources in response to drought, economic and policy constraints.
The successful candidate will be part of a NASA and USDA funded interdisciplinary team of researchers including remote sensing specialists, hydroclimatologists, and water policy specialists developing transformative decision support tools and integrated hydro-economic models of agricultural production. The models are driven by field observations, multi-sensor satellite remote sensing of crop yields and water use, outputs from regional climate models, and socioeconomic data for Montana agricultural systems. The candidate will be expected to develop their own research within the overall project framework and will interact with Principal Investigators, other research scientists, public and private industry stakeholders. The candidate will also participate as a productive member of a larger interdisciplinary research group pioneering new ecological remote sensing applications. More info here.
Research Leader for the Watershed Physical Processes Research Unit, National Sedimentation Lab (NSL), located in Oxford, MS. Please see attached announcement and the following link for the posting of this vacancy: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/519413100
Hydrologic Technician (Pathways Intern) GS 5/7 for the Watershed Physical Processes Research Unit, National Sedimentation Lab (NSL), located in Oxford, MS.. The candidate must be a recent graduate (within 2 years for most, but longer for vets). Please see attached announcement and the following link for the posting of this vacancy https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/519200700. Note that it closes on 12-26-18.
Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science (SWES) at the University of Arizona
Objective: Develop a fully online B.S. degree program in Environmental Science. The details of the position and required/preferred qualifications are listed at:
https://uacareers.com/postings/34165
Qualifications include an advanced degree in environmental science or a related field and a record of teaching excellence.
This is a great opportunity for someone who is especially motivated to develop novel, exciting approaches to online STEM education related to the environment
Postdoctoral opportunity in water-rock interactions at UNLV, USA
We are seeking a postdoctoral scholar to work with Dr. Elisabeth Hausrath at UNLV on mineral dissolution experiments with implications for formation of Mars soils. Responsibilities of the position will include:
Laboratory experiments reacting individual minerals and Mars-analog soils with water analysis of solutions and reacted and unreacted mineral Presenting work at conferences and writing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
Desired attributes include significant experience performing mineral dissolution experiments, a strong geochemical background, and experience with analytical techniques. The ideal candidate will also have strong critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Requirements include a PhD at the time of appointment. The successful candidate will receive mentoring in scientific skills, manuscript and proposal writing, teaching, and other career skills. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter describing research experience and interests, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information (address, telephone number and e-mail address) of three professional references to Elisabeth.Hausrath@unlv.edu [1]. For information about our ongoing research programs please see our website here: http://faculty.unlv.edu/hausrath/index.htm [2].
Assistant Professor in Soil Health in Wisconsin
This is a full-time 9-month tenure-track undergraduate teaching position (100%) in our Crop and Soil Science program in the Plant and Earth Science Department. The ideal candidate will have strong interests and ability to teach soil and water conservation and soil physics. Additional expertise in hydric and wetland soils and the impact of soil health in different agricultural systems will be beneficial. The standard teaching load is 12 credit hours per semester. Opportunities exist for optional summer employment through teaching, research grants, internship supervision, and other funding sources. Appointment date: August 26, 2019.
More info here:https://jobs.uwrf.edu/postings/4940
Research Associate STEM Critical Zone Science and Education Outreach, Geography/Geology
The Department of Geography/Geology in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Teacher Education in the College of Education at the University of Nebraska – Omaha invite applications for a STEM Research Associate in Critical Zone science and education outreach at UNO’s Glacier Creek Preserve to begin March, 2019. A Ph.D. in a geoscience discipline and proven expertise is required (ABD applicants are acceptable) and previous work in STEM education is desirable. This position is focused on soil and solute geochemistry research at Glacier Creek Preserve and supports an interdisciplinary STEM education program at UNO that involves multiple Colleges. The successful candidate will coordinate an expanded STEM education program, with a focus on the use of Glacier Creek Preserve as an instructional and research venue, and provide support for the development and delivery of innovative STEM education in undergraduate and graduate coursework, as well as assessment on teaching and learning in this context. This position will have an office in Durham Science Center, including access to lab space. The position is 75% research and 25% percent teaching. Teaching duties include: teaching 1 – 2 undergraduate or graduate courses annually (via online or hybrid courses), ideally targeted at pre-service or in-service teachers in science, and/or graduate coursework, at the discretion of cognizant Science Department Chairperson and/or other activities within the candidate’s expertise that fulfill components of the UNO STEM Phase II Strategic Plan. Opportunities for coordinating the development of STEM undergraduate and graduate courses, educational projects, curriculum activities, and instructional modules that can take full advantage of the natural context of Glacier Creek Preserve are available. It is fully expected that the candidate will be productive in writing—inclusive of manuscripts and grant proposals. This position is a one-year contract with the potential for multi-year(s) renewal upon successful completion of year one.
https://unomaha.peopleadmin.com/postings/7507%C2%A0
PostDoc in mineral weathering, soil development, and clay mineralogy in forested ecosystems of the Alaskan coastal temperate rainforest at University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry invites applications for a post-doctoral research associate to study mineral weathering, soil development, and clay mineralogy in forested ecosystems of the Alaskan coastal temperate rainforest.
The research associate will focus on soil pedology, soil geochemistry including solid and aqueous pools and fluxes, and rock and soil mineralogy. The position requires collection of soil samples from field sites in the Heen Latinee Experimental Forest, Juneau AK and subsequent analysis at USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Analytical work will be primarily focused on clay mineral speciation using X-ray diffraction.
This post-doctoral research associate is part of a broader investigation of critical zone processes in southeast Alaska, focused on the Heen Latinee Experimental Forest. This project is closely tied to studies of aquatic biogeochemistry investigating the generation of materials in terrestrial environments and their export to aquatic ecosystems. The successful candidate will focus on soil pedology, soil geochemistry, rock and soil mineralogy. The project is based in Juneau, Alaska in close collaboration with the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS). The Research associate will work with faculty at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and scientists at PNWRS.
More info here http://careers.alaska.edu/cw/en-us/job/510743/postdoctoral-fellow
Two postdoctoral positions in collaborative research with Purdue University and the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin
Dear Colleagues, Two postdoctoral positions are available for collaborative research in - a) soil organic matter dynamics and b) aqueous geochemistry of metals in rivers that is to be conducted in the Arequipa region of Peru. Purdue University and the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin (UNSA) in Arequipa, Peru have partnered to form the Arequipa Nexus Institute for Food, Energy, Water, and the Environment (Nexus Institute), which, over the course of this multi-year, multi-disciplinary partnership, will investigate key environmental, land use, agroeconomic, and social challenges limiting the development of adaptive, profitable, and sustainable food-energy-water systems in the Arequipa Region of Peru.
The two successful candidates, part of a cohort of 23 new postdoctoral researchers to be hired within the Nexus Institute in 2018-2019, will investigate soil and river sediment dynamics from the Andean terraced region to the desert lower elevation environments that are under intensive irrigation. The research will emphasize the following: a) the biogeochemical controls on soil organic matter stabilization/destabilization in desert, flood plain, and terraced systems, b) measurement and modelling of the speciation and transport of metals from legacy mines and naturally eroded ore deposits, and c) metal organic matter interactions in water, soil, and sediment. Experience in stable isotope tracers and organic geochemistry will be necessary for this position.
More info at Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Department of Agronomy Director, Discovery Park Center for the Environment http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/environment/ Purdue University
Postdoctoral Position at the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (Canada)
Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC):The Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium (PCIC) was created to assess climate impacts in the Pacific and Yukon Region of Canada. The goals of the Consortium are to foster collaborative research, to strengthen the capacity to address regional climate change and variability, and to provide the scientific basis for policy development. PCIC is a regional climate service centre at the University of Victoria that provides practical information on the physical impacts of climate variability and change. Through collaboration with climate researchers and regional stakeholders, PCIC produces knowledge and tools in support of long-term planning. <http://www.PacificClimate.org>
Challenge: The Postdoctoral Scientist will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team that seeks to develop adaptation strategies that minimize the joint impacts of climate change and reservoir regulation on fish habitat. The postdoctoral position will be required to assess the hydrologic sensitivity of the Nechako River basin, a regulated system located in central British Columbia, to climate variability and change. In this context, this position is responsible for the enhancement and application of PCIC’s version of the Variable Infiltration Capacity
(VIC-GL) hydrology model to explicitly represent the hydrology, surface routing and water temperature of this regulated system. The position will also evaluate the extent to which hydrology and water temperature in the Nechako watersheds has responded to observed climate variability and change and evaluate potential hydrologic impacts under projected future climates.
Nature of Work:The Postdoctoral Scientist undertakes basic and applied research to quantify the impact of climate variability and change on the hydro-climatology of select Canadian basins. He/she works under the supervision of the Lead for PCIC’s Hydrologic Impacts theme and collaborates with other members of PCIC and the project team. PCIC offers a positive, supportive and collegial work environment that promotes collaboration and excellence. As a user and stakeholder driven organization, PCIC requires that candidates be able to flexibly adapt their research objectives to changing organizational and stakeholder priorities and needs.
Additional information: Address enquiries to Markus Schnorbus at climate@uvic.ca <mailto:climate@uvic.ca>
PhD Student / Post-Doctoral Fellow offer: Empowering Big Data-Driven Agriculture
Location: Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Rishon LeZion, Israel
Appointment and start date: Jan 2019 and continuing for up to 3 years.
The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
Project description: The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team including experts in big-data, remote sensing, and micrometeorology. The project, funded by the Israeli Ministry of Science, Technology and Space for three years, will upscale crop water consumption estimation models based on earth observation data to a global scale in order to provide timely and consistent feedback to farmers from small to large scales. Specific objectives are: (1) To develop models of crop water consumption based on combining field measurements of actual evapotranspiration, available meteorological data, and public domain satellite imagery; (2) To create a cloud based spatio-temporal model based on updated crop water consumption maps to adapt irrigation recommendations for different areas of the world.
More info: Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Israel offerr@volcani.agri.gov.il <mailto:offerr@volcani.agri.gov.il>
PhD on Soil Health and Crop Rotation Effects at Alberta, Canada
Potential start dates: April 2019. A PhD graduate student position available. Highly qualified candidates are encouraged to inquire about this PhD position.Working directly with Dr. Frank Larney, Soil Scientist, based in Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,
and with co-supervision by Dr. Guillermo Hernandez, Associate Professor, and registered as a PhD student at University of Alberta, Department of Renewable Resources.
This research project is evaluating contrasting cropping systems across major Canadian Prairie ecosites to determine impacts on system resiliency and soil health. The objective of the study encompasses the determination of the best (more productive, sustainable, resilient) cropping systems for soil health in each of the ecozones within the Canadian Prairie using a wide array of contemporary crop rotation sequencing. Project activities include field sampling, laboratory procedures (e.g., tensiometry, fractal aggregation, organic matter fractionation), data analyses of soil quality attributes and manuscript writing. Support and guidance in developing an impactful research project will be provided. No experience necessary, however, knowledge and interest in soils, sustainability and resilience of agroecosystems are valuable assets.
The successful candidate will spend most of the research program tenure working at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, AAFC, and will complete his/her coursework requirements at UAlberta in Edmonton as part of the degree program. The successful candidate will have the great opportunity to work with a diverse group of researchers across scientific disciplines at both prestigious institutions.
Apply with CV, scanned copies of transcripts and a brief letter introducing yourself and your research interests to: Frank Larney, francis.larney@canada.ca or Guillermo Hernandez, ghernand@ualberta.ca
Portfolio Leader – Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in NZ
This is a new role to establish and lead a new Portfolio. The research will comprise the former Mitigating Greenhouse Gases Portfolio and build up new research opportunities in climate change adaptation, including land use change as both mitigation and adaptation opportunities. This new Portfolio will also become the focus for all our soil carbon research.
A major focus of the role is to lead one of Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research’s principal portfolios of research and determine both areas of strategic focus and priority partnerships. This role offers the potential for providing leadership in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation research at a national scale. This is a full time, open term position with hours split across Portfolio Leadership (0.8 FTE) and Research (0.2 FTE). The Portfolio Leader will report to the General Manager Science and will be based at one of our sites hosting related research.
For full details of the responsibilities and tasks involved, please refer to the attached position description. If you require any further information about the position, please contact Peter Millard on extension 9608 or millardp@landcareresearch.co.nz
If you are interested in applying for this role, please email a cover letter and curriculum vitae to myself, Dee Bowers – Business Partner, People and Culture bowersd@landcareresearch.co.nz
Although this role is also being externally advertised, we wish to ascertain internal interest for this position before the end of this year, therefore the closing date for internal applications is Friday 14 December 2018 at 5pm.
PhD student assistantship in carbon cycling in soils in Maryland
PostDoc in organic matter dynamics and biogeochemistry in Maryland
Postdoctoral Research Associate - Tropical Root Allocation and Function
The Terrestrial Ecosystem Science group at ORNL is seeking an individual with a passion for studying the natural world, motivated to take on the challenge of synthesizing data and building models to understand tropical forest resource acquisition, use, and allocation; with a focus below ground.
Understanding resource acquisition, use, and allocation remains challenged by a lack of root related data, especially in tropical forests. Roots are fundamental for plant resource acquisition and survival, yet datasets are scarce and scattered across research groups. The Ecosystem Science group at ORNL (Advisor: Anthony Walker) and the multi-lab Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment (NGEE) - Tropics are seeking a post-doctoral research candidate for an exciting new opportunity to synthesise knowledge and data with key partners to further understand the role of roots in tropical forest resource acquisition, use, and allocation. A major component of the role will be:
Synthesis and analysis of root and other data from key partners in the ForestGEO (https://forestgeo.si.edu/) and GEM (http://gem.tropicalforests.ox.ac.uk/) networks to help inform the development and evaluation of resource acquisition and allocation modules in the new Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator (FATES).
More info here https://jobs.ornl.gov/job/Oak-Ridge-Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-Tropical-Root-Allocation-and-Function-TN-37831/520369500
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