Post Doc in Wetland Greenhouse Gas Cycling

Application Submission Link: https://utoledo.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/6/home/requisition/3745?c=utoledo
For more information please contact: michael.weintraub@utoledo.edu

The Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Toledo, OH seeks a postdoctoral research associate who will investigate plant controls on biogeochemical transformations and CO2/CH4 fluxes within coastal terrestrial and aquatic interfaces (TAIs). Coastal TAIs are complex systems characterized by a high degree of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in biogeochemical cycling often described as hot spots and hot moments. Much of the complexity is due to plant-microbe interactions that mediate the soil redox environment. The focus of this position is to advance our process-level understanding of plant-water-microbe interactions that generate spatiotemporal variation across upland-to-wetland gradients.

This position is part of the DOE funded project Coastal Observation, Mechanism, and Predictions Across Systems and Scales - Field Measurements and Experiments (COMPASS-FME; https://compass.pnnl.gov). This large project is led by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in collaboration with multiple partners, including the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) and Argonne National Lab. The COMPASS - FME project aims to understand the coupled interactions of plants, microbes, soils/sediments, and hydrology within coastal systems to inform multi- scale, integrated models from reaction scales to the coastal interface. The project’s research emphasis is primarily on terrestrial and wetland processes that are influenced by coastal waters, such as the fluxes and transformations of carbon, nutrients, and redox elements through these systems. This project includes several national labs, and research institutions in the W. Basin of Lake Erie and Chesapeake Bay, affording the successful candidate the opportunity for exciting and diverse collaborations. COMPASS will hire several post-docs with complementary skills in coastal science, biogeochemistry, data sciences, and land surface modeling at all scales. This postdoc will be based at U. Toledo and focus on the Lake Erie sites.

The incumbent will work on key research directions such as:  [1] determining the rates and controls on plant and soil/sediment greenhouse gas fluxes within coastal TAIs at the Lake Erie research sites; [2] characterizing relationships between greenhouse gas fluxes, redox status, nutrient availability and environmental conditions using a combination of biogeochemical process measurements and sensor/datalogger arrays. The incumbent will also be responsible for coordinating and implementing field research, installation and sampling. Close collaboration with project partners and scientists at PNNL, LNLL, Heidelberg University and The University of Toledo is expected.

The University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution, consistent with its obligations as a federal contractor. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the University. dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, dual-career professionals and covered veterans.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of PhD degree in plant, soil, or wetland ecology, environmental sciences, or related discipline.
• Willingness and ability to engage in intensive field research activities including spending significant time outdoors, operating and maintaining equipment, etc.
• Experience studying wetland ecosystems and/or plant-microbe interactions
• Experience with methods to measure plant and soil CO2 and CH4 fluxes using tools such as a LiCOR 6800 and/or 7810 (including automated chamber and multiplexer) systems
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including experience with R
• Commitment to a safe and inclusive working environment

Communication and other skills:

• Effective communication skills (oral and written)
• Ability and desire to collaborate with a large multi-institutional collaborative team
• Ability to work without close supervision and to make decisions concerning weather conditions and other logistical factors
• Ability to work closely with students, faculty and other staff to maintain research efficiency of the project.