Postdoctoral Fellow in above and below ground carbon estimation and mapping

Overview

We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to join a multi-institution project focused on improving our ability to understand, predict, and manage above- and below-ground carbon stocks. This work, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), will be applied to capturing carbon dynamics across space and time in dryland ecosystems of the western U.S. and around the world. This will include the characterization of carbon stocks for key groups of NRCS Ecological Sites and the integration of carbon storage and sequestration into associated State and Transition Model (STM) frameworks (more about here). The postdoctoral fellow will link satellite- and drone-based remote sensing data with ground-based above- and below-ground carbon measurements and will use cutting edge machine learning and related analyses to create predictive spatiotemporal models. The position will be based in Dr. Brooke Osborne’s lab at Utah State University-Moab and co-advised by Dr. Bill Smith at the University of Arizona. The successful applicant will also work closely with collaborators from the USDA-NRCS, including Travis Nauman and Skye Wills, and the U.S. Geological Survey, including Sasha Reed and Mike Duniway. The position is funded for two years at a salary of $63,000/yr and can begin as early as September 1, 2024.

 

This position is telework eligible within the state of Utah. Telework outside of the state of Utah is subject to review and approval by the University prior to a job offer being extended.

Responsibilities

The position is full-time and 100% research. The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for developing novel hypotheses, processing and analyzing large satellite- and drone-based datasets, integrating these data with ground-based measurements, and developing innovative geospatial and statistical methods. They will be expected to publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present research at national conferences.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD inEcosystem Ecology, Biogeochemistry or closely related field
• Demonstrated experience in ecosyste m science and a broad perspective on ecosystem processes and climate feedbacks
• Demonstrated skill in remote sensing and geospatial data analysis
• A record of publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with spatiotemporal data and geospatial analysis using R, Python, and/or other computer programming languages
• Experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary team

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"

Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile

Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

Research Statement to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

$63,000, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

College/Department Highlights

College HighlightsThe S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with over $15M in research funding annually, 55 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies.    Department HighlightsThe Department of Environment and Society uses the social, environmental, and interdisciplinary sciences to understand human-environment interactions at a range of spatial scales and to bring human considerations into natural resource and environmental management. Faculty promote people-centered solutions for sustainability transitions and climate change adaptations and deliver graduate and undergraduate education in environmental studies and social sciences, recreation resource management, and geography.    Moab campus HighlightsUtah State University Moab houses three faculty members in Environment and Society. Moab's campus building, located south of the city of Moab, is combustion-free, net-zero energy, passively designed to harness southern solar energy using thermal mass in the walls and floor. Deep overhangs create a series of covered porches, allowing for indoor activities to spill outside. Students and visitors will enjoy a campus reflecting Moab’s natural landscape, linking them to their broader ecosystem. Campus sustainability highlights include: USU's first net-zero energy building; USU's large solar array placed in parking canopies that double as parking shade structures; ground-source heat- ing and cooling; reduced carbon footprint; designed to meet Silver-level LEED certification with enhanced energy performance; PVC-free interior finishes, avoid- ing many red-list materials and incorporating healthier alternatives; water conservation measures including rain harvesting for permaculture gardens incorporating native plantings and low-flow, water-sense fixtures throughout; biophilia focused, connecting people with nature by incorporating natural day lighting and views to the surrounding landscape throughout, as well as natural materials, patterns, textures, and colors in exte- rior and interior materials. Further information: Ecology Center: https://ecology.usu.edu/Department of Environment and Society: https://qcnr.usu.edu/envs/USU Moab campus: https://statewide.usu.edu/moab/Direct queries to Brooke Osborne, at brooke.osborne@usu.edu

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 04/2024

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023