Postdoctoral positions: Quantifying and predicting transpiration across US ecosystems
How do properties of plants, ecosystems, and climate govern transpiration and evaporation/transpiration partitioning across scales from plots to the globe? How can we leverage understanding of these connections to predict ecosystem and water cycle change in the future? We solicit applications for two postdoctoral researchers to join an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional team tackling these challenges using novel data from the US National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). The individual selected for position 1 will be based at the University of Utah and will lead efforts to develop and apply water vapor isotope data products, in combination with eddy covariance measurements, to quantify transpiration rates across the NEON network core sites and conduct within and among-site analyses of these estimates. This is expected to include significant field work to collect ancillary data at NEON sites. The second postdoctoral researcher will be based at Oregon State University and will be primarily responsible for adapting and applying a suite of land surface models to predict transpiration rates and other ecosystem properties across these sites and benchmarking these models against data products developed by NEON and project partners. Both postdocs will collaborate extensively with the entire project team, and depending on their background and interests will have opportunities to contribute to project elements including on-site isotopic and ecological data collection, trait-based modeling of vegetation function, and synthesis and modeling activities. Both postdocs will have the opportunity to participate as instructors/mentors in the annual SPATIAL summer short course ( http://itce.utah.edu) and to travel to the partner institution to collaborate with team members there. Both positions require a doctorate degree in ecology, Earth science, or a related field; strong quantitative and logical skills; experience with stable isotope chemistry (position 1) or Earth system modeling (position 2); strong curiosity, self-motivation and capacity for independent work; and the ability (preferably demonstrated) to work collaboratively as part of a team. An application for either position should include a current CV, two samples of the applicant?s scientific writing, and names and contact information for three professional references. Application materials will be accepted immediately and can be submitted via the following form: https://goo.gl/forms/kTS1kD7azWm805Tg2. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled, but submission of materials by October 22, 2018 will ensure their consideration in the initial round of review. Start date is negotiable but is preferred to be no later than May, 2019. Questions and inquiries can be directed to:gabe.bo...@utah.edu (position 1) or chris.st...@oregonstate.edu (position 2). Both positions offer competitive salary and medical benefits packages. The University of Utah and Oregon State University are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers and educators. Minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans preference. Reasonable accommodations provided. For additional information: http://www.regulations.utah.edu/humanResources/5-106.html and https://hr.oregonstate.edu/search-excellence/affirmative-action-and-equal-opportunity. Both universities value candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds, and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students. -- ******************************* Forest Ecosystems and Society Oregon State University 321 Richardson Hall Corvallis, OR 97331-5752 Phone: 541.737.4086 FAX: 541.737.5814 chris.st...@oregonstate.edu *******************************
