Weekly Job offers
PhD/Postdoc positions
1. PhD position in Soil Physics/Hydrology Experiment & Modeling
The Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) Müncheberg invites applications for a PhD position in soil physics/soil hydrology on studying macropore-matrix mass transfer during preferential flow
The project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) for 3 years; salary is according to the German tariff E13 TV-L (65%); doctoral candidates
The successful candidate will study mass transfer processes through the macropore-matrix interface, which is a key for a quantitative understanding of preferential flow in structured soil. This local-scale exchange of water and dissolved chemicals depends on the composition of the surfaces of biopores and shrinkage cracks or fissures. The project is aiming at the development of an “effective” macroscopic exchange term for reactive solutes in two-domain models that can be related to measurable properties of the interface. Experiments and numerical simulations will be carried out with cooperation partners from ZALF, the Czech Technical University (Prague), and the University of Kassel (Witzenhausen).
Website (http://www.zalf.de/en/karriere/stellenangebote/Pages/default.aspx)
Further information: Dr. Horst H. Gerke, Tel.: 03343282229, Email: hgerke@zalf.de
Applications are invited until November 27, 2017, under number 59-2017
2. The University of Virginia is searching for a Phd. Research Associate to work on coupled catchment and stream ecohydrologic modeling. The position is posted at the Jobs@UVA web site:
https://jobs.virginia.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1510696360726.
3. Post Doctorate RA - Ecosystem Modeling COLLEGE PARK, MD
How much disturbance can forests absorb before their carbon cycle can’t recover? Why? What mechanisms determine ecosystem resilience?
A postdoctoral position is available at the Joint Global Change Research Institute (JGCRI) of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), in ecosystem modeling, analysis, and data assimilation. The successful candidate will lead the modeling component of an NSF-funded project, to be conducted in collaboration with a team at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for:
Working both independently and collaboratively with other team members at PNNL and VCU to conduct ecosystem- to regional-scale modeling using the Predictive Ecosystem Analyzer (PEcAn) framework.
Exploring data assimilation and sensitivity analysis techniques to guide fieldwork measurement priorities.
Supporting new model and PEcAn framework development and activities under the guidance of senior modeling scientists.
Contributing to a second project, using the simple global carbon/climate model Hector to examine climate change effects in high latitude ecosystems.
Leading data analysis, the writing of peer-review journal publications, and presentation of results at scientific conferences such as AGU.
This position will be based at PNNL’s Joint Global Change Research Institute in College Park, Maryland. We’re seeking integration between modeling and fieldwork that helps elucidate mechanisms supporting forest resilience, and there may be opportunities for light fieldwork and/or data collection, with travel to the University of Michigan Biological Station in Pellston, Michigan. Funding is available for a three-year period, contingent upon satisfactory progress in. The preferred start date is between January and June 2018.
>https://pnnl.jibeapply.com/jobs/307031/Post+Doctorate+RA+-+Ecosystem+Modeling?lang=en-US
4. A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for investigating fundamental processes and mechanisms underlying carbon utilization and stabilization within the terrestrial environment. The work will be performed at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) – a DOE national scientific user facility. The selected applicant will have the opportunity to gain experience in multi-omics driven science through utilization of the capabilities available at this world-renowned facility. Research will focus on the metagenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and soil organic matter characterization of multiple terrestrial field sites and laboratory microcosm studies. Research will emphasize the integration of this multi-omics data with other biogeochemical measurements in order to understand, at the molecular level, the role plant species, nutrient addition and edaphic factors play on carbon mineralization and stabilization. Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team will involve taking a lead role in the processing, binning, assembly, and comparison of unlabeled and stable isotope labeled metagenomic data and other omics data in order to address fundamental hypotheses pertaining to soil organic matter, soil-carbon-mineral interactions, and biotic/abiotic processes.
Please include a cover letter with your CV. Cover letter and CV must be one document (LinkedIn CV not preferred). For additional information please contact Dr. Kirsten Hofmockel (email: kirsten.hofmockel@pnnl.gov
5. Exciting PhD opportunity for two PhD students to join a project investigating drought and its impact on riparian vegetation in the Southwestern USA (Arizona and California). The overall project combines a range of methods (stable isotopes, remote sensing, numerical modeling of rainstorms and watershed moisture, dendrochronology, and forest inventories) to explore the regional expression of climate and climate change and its influence on riparian forests. The project, funded by the US Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, emphasizes the importance of riparian forests in drought-prone landscapes as thermal and moisture refugia for various threatened and endangered species. We’re looking for applications from motivated, curious students. More detail below. Project: Detection of forest water stress due to climate change in drought- prone regions of the Southwestern USA Lead Institution: Cardiff University (UK) Main Supervisor: Michael Singer, School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University (and UCSB) Co-Supervisors: Kelly Caylor, UCSB, Dar Roberts, UCSB, John Stella, SUNY-ESF Project Enquiries (please contact me before applying): singerm2@cardiff.ac.uk
6. Two PhDs in terrestrial Biogeochemistry
There are two opportunities for PhD-level research in the Finzi lab of Terrestrial Biogeochemistry at Boston University. The first opportunity is in the area of coupled biogeochemical cycles in global ecosystems with an emphasis on nutrient-use efficiency, allocation and retranslocation. There is broad latitude for graduate student development of ideas within this context. The student will most likely engage in meta-analysis, field studies and modeling. The second opportunity is in the area of agricultural ecology, focusing specifically on root traits, soil carbon cycling and fertilizer-use efficiency in bioenergy crop systems [study sites in Florida & Illinois]. This opportunity is part of a much larger, DOE-funded Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) at the University of Illinois. The student will be trained at Boston University but will have significant opportunities for interaction with the highly multidisciplinary team that makes up the Center.
The two PhD students have the opportunity to participate in the PhD program in Biogeoscience at Boston University. The program combines faculty from the Department of Biology and Earth & Environment. There are over 25 PhD students and postdocs in the program forming a ‘critical mass’ for collaboration, friendship and scientific development.
Students interested in additional details can contact Dr. Adrien Finzi via email [afinzi at bu dot edu] or by telephone [617.353.2453]. The application deadline for the Department of Biology is December 7, 2017. Application material can be found at: https://bu-grs.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login
Tenure-track/lecturer/professorships
- Assistant or Associate Professor of Geoscience, University of Nevada Las Vegas.
The UNLV Geoscience Department seeks to recruit an Assistant or Associate Professor in the field of Hydrology and Water Resources. The successful applicant will have an active research program that complements existing departmental and university research interests, leverages the critical importance of water resources in the American West, and fosters student participation. The successful applicant will also exhibit a strong commitment to teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
The successful candidate is expected to develop (Assistant-level), or expand upon (Associate-level) a rigorous, externally funded research program and to supervise graduate students at both the master's and doctoral levels. Preference will be given to applicants with research interests in one or more of the following sub-disciplines: hydroclimatology; interactions among groundwater, surface water and atmosphere; hydrogeochemistry; innovative means of characterizing water resources; ecohydrology and geobiologic impacts on water resources. Research approaches may include analytical, numerical, field, remote sensing and/or experimental techniques.
Although this position will remain open until filled, review of candidates'
materials will begin on January 10, 2018, and best consideration will be gained for materials submitted prior to that date. Materials should be addressed to Dr. Elisabeth Hausrath, Search Committee Chair, and submitted via on-line application at https://hrsearch.unlv.edu . For assistance with UNLV's on-line applicant portal, contact UNLV Employment Services at (702) 895-2894 or hrsearch@unlv.edu .
- Assistant Professor in Soil Science
This position announcement is being shared on behalf of University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Assistant Professor in Soil Science (Preferably Soil Microbiology or Soil Chemistry. Ph.D in Soil Science with soil physics, soil mineralogy, or soil fertility and nutrition focus are strongly encouraged.)
For complete announcement and posting please visit the posting at the ASA, CSSA, SSSA Career Placement Website: application before November 30, 2017.
http://careers.careerplacement.org/jobs/10284034/assistant-professor-in-the-school-of-geosciences
3. Tenure track or Tenured Full time Position in Soil Sciences
Posted on 16 Oct 2017
Université Catholique de Louvain · Earth and Life Institute
The successful candidate will have teaching assignments in soil science and more generally in environmental and agricultural sciences.
The successful candidate will develop and drive research at the forefront of soil science. He or she will conduct innovative, collaborative and cross-disciplinary research focused on integrated approaches of pedogenetic, biological and geochemical processes that are impacted by natural and anthropogenic changes (e.g. evolution of agricultural practices and/or changes within an (agro)-ecosystem), which ultimately determine the soil quality (e.g. soil fertility) as a key for future sustainable agricultural production.
Expertise in designing and performing field, experimental, laboratory and analytical research is considered an asset.
Starting date : 1st of September, 2018
Further information :
Professor Philippe Baret, dean of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (AGRO-Louvain) – doyen-agro@uclouvain.be
Professor Claude Bragard, research director of the Earth and Life Institute – president-eli@uclouvain.be
4. position in climatology, paleoclimatology and meteorology
An open faculty position in climatology, paleoclimatology and meteorology in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arkansas (http://jobs.uark.edu/postings/23208).
The review date is listed as November 27th, 2017.
5. Assistant Professor of Soil Science – Rhizosphere Processes
School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster, Ohio
This is a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track position in the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) based at the Ohio State University Wooster campus. The faculty member will focus research on the soil-plant-water-animal-human nexus to enhance climate resilience of agroecosystems through adaptation and mitigation strategies that improve resource use efficiency, sustain productivity, restore soil ecosystem services and improve carbon sink capacity.
Candidates will conduct research on soil-plant-microbial interactions to address local, regional and national issues in agricultural and environmental sciences. This position aligns with OSU’s Discovery Themes Initiative (discovery.osu.edu), a significant faculty hiring investment in key thematic areas in which the university can build on its culture of academic collaboration to make a global impact. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative transdisciplinary team of over 50 existing faculty and many external partners working toward Resilient, Sustainable and Global Food Security for Health as part of the Initiative for Food and AgriCultural Transformation (InFACT) Discovery Theme.
Applicants should email to: SENRhireSoilScience@osu.edu,