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Terrestrial Paleoclimatology Group Postdoctoral Scholar

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Position description

Position Details:
The terrestrial paleoclimatology group in the Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the John Muir Institute of the Environment (JMIE) at the University of California, Davis is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to carry out and oversee research in speleothem paleoclimatology focused on defining the hydroclimate-fire relationship in CA over the past glacial cycle and Holocene. The hire will be made for one year with the possibility of extending the position for a 2nd and possibly 3rd year. The successful applicant will carry out independent research developing age models and multi-proxy (calcite and inclusion fluid) records from stalagmites from CA caves, including the calibration and application of novel fire proxies, as well as work with the research team to design, initiate and oversee a karst system monitoring project in the Giant Sequoia National Forest, southern Sierra Nevada. The postdoctoral researcher will co-mentor graduate and undergraduate students in the paleoclimatology group and be involved in a vertically and laterally integrated mentoring program in Montañez’ lab. A component of the position (10%) will involve communication and outreach efforts for the Institute and/or involvement in outreach activities for the Environmental Justice Hub in JMIE based on the hire’s interests.

Position Purpose:
The position will be jointly sponsored by the Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the College of Letters and Sciences and the John Muir Institute of the Environment (JMIE), under the supervision of Professor of Geosciences and Director of the John Muir Institute of the Environment, Isabel P. Montañez. The Dept. of Earth and Planetary Sciences is a top-ranked academic department with 23 faculty, several research associates and project scientists and several postdoctoral scholars that pursue field, lab, experimental, and modeling studies of geological and environmental problems around the world and across the solar system. The JMIE is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) at the University of California, Davis. The many affiliated research center and programs that bring together approximately 300 faculty, professionals, and staff from multiple colleges and schools on the UC Davis campus to collaborate on environmental issues of interest to policy makers, agency personnel and academics. This position will contribute to several components of the speleothem-based research focused on reconstructing the paleo-hydroclimate—fire relationship over different climate states of the past glacial cycle through Holocene, and involves independent research and analysis, presentation of the results at national and international conferences, and publication of the findings.

Essential Responsibilities:
Duties: 75% Scientific research, analysis, and writing: Carry out independent research on the paleo-hydroclimate-fire relationship project using the research guidelines defined by the project, coordinate and collaborate with the PIs and associated postdoc, providing milestone updates to the PI team. Provide research writing and coordination; including compilation of scientific technical analysis and data and take a lead role in writing scientific manuscripts. This component of the work will require bi-monthly travel to the study cave(s).

15% Research project management and mentoring: Oversee the speleothem-based research in the PI’s lab and co-mentor the undergraduate and graduate students in the group. Oversee the vertically integrated mentoring program for undergraduates and coordinate and mentor the graduate students participating in the mentoring and training component of the project.

10% Communication and Outreach associated with activities at the JMIE. This may involve development of a blog, contributions to social media platforms, and/or website contributions. Opportunities exist to be involved in outreach and mentoring activities associated with the newly developed Environmental Justice Hub at JMIE. The distribution of this component of the position will be decided upon by the Director and hire based on interest and needs.

Job Expectations:
Contribute to a productive and respectful work environment adhering to the UC Davis Principles of Community. Organize work effectively to achieve timely progress on multiple components of the project, meeting deadlines and maintaining a high level of productivity and attention to detail. Ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with the PIs and other members of the research team. Take initiative and work independently and cooperatively as part of a team and multi-organization network. Maintain academic integrity and rigor.

Physical Demands:
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all health and safety protocols in the laboratory, field, and on campus as required. Schedule COVID tests and submit daily symptom tracking as required.
• Work in laboratory setting sitting and standing for multiple hours processing samples.
• Wear appropriate PPE in the field; hat, glasses, closed toed shoes, pants, etc.

Work Environment:
• Work in laboratory, wear face mask, practice physical distance between peers and promote hand hygiene.
• Occasional travel to other campuses and designated field sites of project.

Salary:
Commensurate on experience level with a minimum of $60,780, benefits included for 12 months duration appointment at full-time of 100%.

How to Apply:
Create an Application ID
Provide required information and upload documents
If any, provide required reference information
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
• Curriculum Vitae - Current/updated C.v.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.
Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visithttp://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/diversity/equity_inclusion/index.html for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• PhD in Geosciences or a related field.
• Experience working in a speleothem-based proxy development or equivalent experience in similar laboratory/field techniques.
• Experience in statistical analysis of times series and development of age models.
• Ability to anticipate, identify problems, compare data, and conclude and disseminate data.
Organizational and statistical and analytical skills.
Detail oriented and has the capacity for independent work.
• Record of first-authored publications

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience pertaining to speleothem paleoclimatology and karst system monitoring.
Experience in geochemical techniques and data reduction and analysis;
• Experience communicating science to the general public and scientific audiences and communities.
• Strong publication record as author or co-author
• Experience with project management and working with and mentoring a team of graduate and undergraduate students.
• Experience working with diverse groups.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04660

Help contact: nbmorrill@ucdavis.edu

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Job location

Davis, CA