Rhizosphere Soil Warming Postdoc

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Climate & Ecosystems Division (CESD) has an opening for a Rhizosphere Soil Warming Postdoc to join the team.

In this exciting role, you will work within an interdisciplinary team on critical questions regarding soil response to a warming climate. (https://tes.lbl.gov/) As part of a team of field, laboratory, and modeling-focused researchers, this position will focus on determining the spatiotemporal variability in rhizodeposition and redox heterogeneity, and their biogeochemical impact in a coastal California grassland subjected to long-term warming (Point Reyes, CA).

What You Will Do:

• Refining, testing, and using in-situ microsensors in the field experiment, and will employ advanced spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analyses for the characterization of rhizodeposition.
• Develop and evaluate hypotheses and build a mechanistic understanding of the interplay among rhizodeposition, moisture, and redox within soils and their response to soil warming.
• Help design and develop a package of micro-sensors and associated equipment for field deployment
• Deploy microsensors in soil pits and conduct seasonal monitoring over the growing season
• Collect and analyze DOC, metals, and nutrients in the pore water
• Coordinate the characterization of rhizodeposits in pore water
• Assist with other field measurements as needed
• Engage as a member of a large, multidisciplinary research team that includes geochemists, hydrologists, microbiologists, and computational scientists
• Author peer-reviewed journal articles and technical reports
• Develop proposals to DOE users facilities as needed
• Communicate results, for example by presenting at scientific conferences

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Analyze, process, and quality control data collected with relevant analytical instruments (e.g. ICP-MS, MC-ICP-MS, SEM/TEM, FTIR) and via discrete sampling
• Prepare written and oral material for funding sponsor and project reviews
• Help with proposal writing and reporting requirements

What is Required:

• Ph.D. in geochemistry, soil science, agronomy, civil or environmental engineering, earth sciences, hydrology, or equivalent discipline
• Substantial knowledge and experience in conducting lab and field experiments involving soils and plants
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary environment
• Ability to identify and develop new research areas
• Ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and a proven track record of publishing in top-tier journals

Desired Qualifications:

• Specific experience with rhizodeposition
• International research exposure

Want to learn more about Berkeley Lab's Culture, Benefits and answers to FAQs? Please visit: https://recruiting.lbl.gov/

Notes:

• This is a full-time, 2 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 4 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
• The monthly salary range for this position is $6,476.00 - $7,887.00. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-PhD Postdoctoral and/or related research experience
• The monthly salary range for this position is $4,636.00 - $7,887.00 and is expected to start at $6,476.00 or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.

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