Postdoc available –Ecology of coastal wetlands and sub-Arctic carbon cycling

We seek an inquisitive and adventurous postdoc interested in understanding the role of herbivory, climate change, and wetland ecology in affecting carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide and methane) exchange in wetlands of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in Alaska. The project will focus on waterfowl impacts on vegetation and implications of atmospheric greenhouse gas exchange. This study does not focus on waterfowl themselves but the ecosystem services and values of coastal wetlands in Alaska.

Our field site is located in Alaska’s stunning coastal wetlands in the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. Nearly four hours away from the nearest village, our field site is remote and wild. Access to our site is always an adventure, requiring snowmobiles, boats, and occasionally floatplanes. Situated among thousands of migratory birds, our camp requires rugged living with a small crew of people for up to 5 months during the Alaska spring and summer. Our field work's ruggedness and adventurous nature thus require a postdoc with experience and a love for the remote outdoors.  

This position is an NSF-funded postdoc in the Atwood lab (https://trishaatwood.weebly.com/) at Utah State University. The successful applicant will also work closely with the Beard Lab (https://karenhbeard.webs.com/) at Utah State University and the Waring Lab (https://www.waringecologylab.com/) at Imperial College-London. This is the second of two postdoctoral hires for this project, with the first postdoc focusing on microbial communities and this postdoc focusing on greenhouse gas dynamics.  

Required Qualifications: A Ph.D. in ecology, soil microbiology, biogeochemistry, or other closely related environmental science fields. Ph.D. degree must be conferred by no later than Jan 1, 2022.

Essential skills: Past experience collecting and analyzing greenhouse gas data, experience and confidence driving small boats, supervising field crews, programming experience in R, fieldwork experience, and self-motivation

Preferred skills: experience with LiCOR greenhouse gas analyzers, experience driving snowmobiles and ATVs, experience living in remote field sites for extended periods of time, and Arctic research experience.  

In your cover letter, please describe your experience or willingness to gain these experiences. 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The appointment start date is negotiable, but no later than Jan 4, 2022. The initial commitment is expected to be two years, contingent upon performance and the availability of funding. A competitive salary and full benefits package will be offered.

In your application, please include: 

1. A cover letter that explains how your research and experience aligns with the skills and research activities listed above  

2. A CV or resume

3. A list of three professional references and their contact information. 

For any questions, contact Trisha Atwood: trisha.atwood@usu.edu

Utah State University is a highly selective, public, land-grant university. The main campus is located in Logan, a community of 100,000 people. Logan is 85 miles north of Salt Lake City in scenic Cache Valley, a semi-rural mountain basin with nearby ski resorts, lakes, rivers, and mountains providing many recreational opportunities. The area has a low cost of living and provides a high quality of life. For more information on Logan, see http://www.tourcachevalley.com.