A post-doctoral position is available in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Cornell University to conduct geospatial modeling of the production potential and environmental impacts of bioenergy feedstock production.
Duties: Work with a number of collaborators from different disciplines to quantify the production potential and environmental impacts of different biofuel feedstocks throughout the Northeastern USA. Research will focus on geospatial modeling of the production potential and environmental impacts of annual crops, perennial grasses, and short-rotation woody crops, including crop residues. Model-based analyses will include greenhouse gas emissions and effects on air, soil, and water quality. A crucial step in the analysis will be to identify the location and characteristics of land that could be used for bioenergy feedstock production. Our goal is to compare the production potential and environmental sustainability of different types of bioenergy feedstocks at scales ranging from sub-county to multiple states throughout the region from Michigan to West Virginia to Maine. This project provides a great opportunity to work closely with the PI and collaborators to build on both previous and ongoing field studies and modeling efforts to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for bioenergy production in the Northeastern USA and contribute to national analyses of these topics. Qualifications: Ph.D. in agricultural sciences or a related field. Preferred qualifications include experience with some or all of the following: (1) geospatial modeling of agricultural systems; (2) life cycle analysis of agricultural systems; (3) terrestrial ecosystem or agri-ecological models at the individual, landscape, or regional scale. Salary is $34,000-41,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications with one to three years of funding available. Evaluation of applications is rolling with a preferred start date as soon as possible after August 20, 2008. Interested applicants are encouraged to send a cover letter, CV, transcript (unofficial is acceptable) and contact information for 3 references (including telephone numbers) to: Dr. Peter Woodbury [EMAIL PROTECTED] <http://css.cals.cornell.edu/cals/css/people/faculty.cfm?netId=pbw1> See the following URL for the advertisment on the Cornell University web site: <https://cornellu.taleo.net/careersection/10161/jobdetail.ftl>