The DeMarco Ecosystem Ecology lab in the Biology Department at Southwestern University is now accepting applications for a postdoctoral research associate in soil carbon cycling OR remote sensing of soil moisture.
Restoration of degraded ecosystems can provide a mitigation pathway that can sequester atmospheric carbon into the biosphere and make ecosystems more resilient to a changing climate. However, restoration efforts primarily focus on the restoration process itself with less focus on quantifying the impacts of restoration and rarely include accounting for carbon storage and resilience of the ecosystem to environmental change. Furthermore, restoration projects cover large landscapes, making in-situ measurements inadequate in accurately quantifying carbon storage and resilience at larger spatial scales. The postdoctoral research associate will be part of a National Science Foundation funded project that will 1) assess the effectiveness of using remote sensing tools to quantify changes in soil moisture at larger spatial scales and 2) evaluate the carbon sequestration potential of restoring wet meadows within the Gunnison Basin of Colorado, a critical brood-rearing habitat for the threatened ground dwelling bird the Gunnison sage-grouse (Centrocercus minimus). The postdoctoral research associate may choose to focus their research on soil carbon sequestration or remote sensing of soil moisture and should indicate their preference in their cover letter. Specific responsibilities include developing and testing methodology to assess restoration impacts on soil carbon and soil moisture, performing geospatial analysis, conducting field-based experiments, engaging diverse researchers and stakeholders through meetings and workshops, mentoring undergraduate students in research, and leading the writing of scientific manuscripts for the peer-reviewed literature.
This is a full-time position funded for two years with benefits. Preferred start date is September 1, 2023 but is flexible. This position is based in Georgetown, TX but requires about four weeks of summer field work in Gunnison, Colorado. The candidate will be expected to work in-person in Georgetown, TX.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.
Southwestern University (Georgetown, Texas) is a selective undergraduate residential liberal arts institution located in the greater Austin area. Established in 1840, Southwestern enrolls approximately 1,500 students and maintains a student–faculty ratio of 12 to 1. The university provides a highly interdisciplinary and holistic education that values high-impact learning experiences, such as study abroad, internships, and faculty-student research. A member of the recently formed Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance, Southwestern is committed to fostering a diverse educational environment and encourages applications from members of groups traditionally underrepresented in academia. Additional information about the university can be found at our website: www.southwestern.edu.