Job Summary

Oregon State University’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science in collaboration with Boise State University, Pennsylvania State University, University of Kansas, and University of California – Riverside, the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), and UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) is encouraging applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to fill a two-year position as part of NSF and NRC funded grants. The overarching goals of these two awards is to quantify how changes in climate and land cover/use influence the structure of soil and its cascading effects on biogeochemical functions across a diversity of spatial and temporal scales.

Functioning somewhat independently, the Postdoctoral Researcher will:

1. design, organize and conduct interdisciplinary field experiments using established or emerging scientific protocols and procedures;

2. summarize findings and publish results in peer-reviewed research journals;

3. assume responsibility for their scientific operations in the field;

4. provide supervision, training, and guidance to junior technicians, students, and researchers; and

5. analyze large datasets to synthesize extant data into information-rich products and to develop and test new hypotheses.

Specifically, the Postdoctoral Researcher will be working with teams of scientists across multiple institutions and environmental observing networks (e.g., CZCN, LTER, NEON) as part of these grants and is expected to lead data collection and data analysis approaches across multiple field sites.

Primary Responsibilities

• Be an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion on the OSU campus, with collaborating institutions, and at all field sites.

• Dig soil pits and collect soil and rock samples

• Install instruments and analyze soil moisture, gas, and hydraulic properties, including the design and implementation of research protocols; design and implement safety procedures; adapt new procedures, methods or instrumentation relative to research procedures.

• Help to organize and participate in 1-2 month-long field campaigns across multiple states and between multiple universities.

• Collect, prepare and analyze research data; maintain and publish research data; tabulate and display data for presentation in research conferences and for manuscript preparation.

• Use graphical and statistical software and numerical models to analyze and present data.

• Search pertinent scientific literature as needed.

• Publish results of data in the peer-reviewed literature.

• Leading or participating in outreach efforts.

Minimum Qualification

Education and Experience:

● PhD in earth or environmental sciences or related fields required (or ABD)

● Previous field experience in Earth or environmental sciences required

● Strong interest in multidisciplinary science and working in teams

Certifications and Licenses:

● Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

● Strong attention to detail

● Ability to write code in R, Python, or Matlab proficiently

● Experience with Critical Zone measurements such as pedogenic data and analysis, soil gas and moisture monitoring

● Experience publishing in the peer-reviewed literature

● Ability to work collaboratively as part of a large, multi-disciplinary team and independently to solve problems as they arise

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

● Demonstrated ability in teaching, mentoring and/or working with students

● Experience in grant writing and/or developing work plans, timelines, and budgets

● Previous experience in public outreach

● Proven dedication to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive workforce

● Experience with reactive transport modeling codes

Job Demands and Working Conditions

Physical Requirements:

● Field work is expected as part of this job, which may require lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs for short distances and hiking up to 5 miles at a time with a loaded backpack.

● Travel for durations of up to 2 months is expected as part of this job, which may require driving distances of up to 3200 miles in one trip.

Potential Environmental Conditions/Hazards:

● Field work can take place in extreme heat and cold, and in high elevation, steep environments.