Postdoctoral Research Associate: carbon and water fluxes in California agroecosystems
The USDA-ARS Sustainable Agricultural Water Systems research unit in Davis, California and the University of California, Berkeley seek a postdoctoral associate to research ecosystem-scale carbon and water fluxes and their drivers in woody perennial agroecosystems. The position is available immediately and provides funding for three years. The overall objective of this research is to quantify the impact of regenerative and climate-smart agricultural practices on evapotranspiration, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas fluxes in irrigated woody perennial cropping systems. A key focus is to compare conventional and regenerative practices in California specialty crops, including olives, pistachios, almonds, and wine grapes. Research topics may include linking cross-scale information (eddy covariance; leaf, canopy, and soil chamber systems, drone and satellite remote sensing) and synthesizing long-term flux records from multiple sites in Mediterranean agroecosystems spanning a management gradient .
This position will be based in Davis, California at the USDA-ARS Sustainable Agricultural Water Systems research unit. The candidate will be encouraged to also hold a working space and engage with colleagues in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley.
Qualifications
– PhD in atmospheric science, environmental science, ecology, hydrology, agriculture, engineering, or another related field.
– Expertise in data science techniques and computer programming in R, Python or MATLAB.
– Demonstrated experience working with eddy covariance data.
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills as evidenced by a record of peer-reviewed publications and conference activity.
– Demonstrated ability to work independently and with a team.
Responsibilities
– Analyze and interpret data, prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and present findings at conferences.
– Support maintenance and data processing for a network of eddy covariance flux towers.
– Design and conduct experiments using some or all of the following: micrometeorological instrumentation, canopy and soil chamber systems, uncrewed aircraft systems (drones), and leaf-level gas exchange equipment.
– Collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team.
Start date: Fall 2024
Application materials:
For inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dennis Baldocchi ([email protected]) and Matthew Roby ([email protected]). Interested candidates should email a copy of their unofficial transcripts, curriculum vitae, a cover letter describing research their interests and how they align with this position, and the names and contact information of three references to Matthew Roby and Dennis Baldocchi.