Postdoc or Technician or Graduate Student (MS or PhD) on legacy sediment-nitrogen interactions

We seek a graduate student (MS or PhD) or Postdoc or Technician (Limited Term Researcher) for two new collaborative (USDA-NIFA) projects in partnership with University of Delaware and Stroud Water Research Center. One of them investigates nitrogen processing in legacy sediment plumes in streams and rivers. Specifically, we are looking at denitrification potential on fine-grained sediment surfaces in these plumes.  The study involves focused laboratory experiments and field sampling and analysis to scale up and assess the potential for nitrogen processing at the reach and watershed scales. Physical, chemical, and microbial assays (qPCR and high-throughput sequencing) will be performed. Reach and watershed-scale modeling for N transport and fate is also proposed.

The second USDA-NIFA project investigates how precolonial organic horizons recover or evolve following stream and floodplain restoration.  Physical, chemical, and microbial assays (qPCR and high-throughput sequencing) will be performed to study the evolution of the floodplain soils.

The graduate student will work on the first legacy sediment plume project.  The Postdoc or Technician will be responsible for both projects, but with primary responsibility for the first legacy sediment plume project.  All positions will require – addressing project goals and objectives, field sampling and laboratory analysis, interpretation of data and writing of manuscripts. Postdoc and Technician positions will have additional responsibilities and will also help manage the group lab and potentially help guide and mentor graduate students. Applicants with experience with field sampling and laboratory instrumentation, use of in-situ high-frequency sensors, and/or reach-scale N modeling for streams will be given preference.

Preferred start date for all positions is early 2021 – either winter (Jan/Feb) or early spring (March) 2021.  Later start dates could be considered if the positions remain open.

Applicants should send their full CV with research and educational experience and graduate students should indicate their GPA and GRE scores.