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Postdoctoral Scholar - Agricultural Sustainability Institute (College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences)

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Position overview

Salary range: Based on experience level

Position description

The Agricultural Sustainability Institute (ASI) in the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is recruiting a Postdoctoral Scholar in Soil Health to work in an active research program investigating soil health and sustainable agriculture and food systems.

The UC Davis Russell Ranch Century Experiment (RRCE), a long-term agroecological experiment that compares organic, conventional, and hybrid treatments, is conducting its third decadal soil sample. The Soil Health Postdoctoral Scholar will work closely with ASI and ASI-affiliated faculty to conduct, archive, and analyze the third decadal sample from the RRCE. This is an excellent publication opportunity as the sample will generate important new knowledge relevant to high-impact journals.

As a postdoctoral scholar you will be expected to:
-Work closely with ASI and ASI-affiliated faculty to help conduct the third decadal soil sample in summer 2022.
-Integrate the third decadal soil sample into the historical sample archive, which includes overseeing the archive and making it commensurable across time.
-Analyze soil samples to answer important questions about soil health, carbon sequestration, and regenerative agriculture in irrigated Mediterranean climate regions.
-Write manuscripts for submission to high-impact scientific journals and present at professional conferences.
-Additional research opportunities overseen by ASI Director Dr. Ryan Galt are possible, but will be secondary to the RRCE research.

The ideal candidate has expertise in analysis of soil chemical, physical and biological indicators of soil health in cropping systems, and is proficient in multivariate statistics.

Your primary worksite location is the UC Davis campus in the labs of Professors Amélie Gaudin and William Horwath, although a hybrid (at home and at work) work schedule might be possible.

The postdoctoral scholar will be directly advised by Dr. Gaudin and co-advised by Dr. William Howarth, Dr. Ryan Galt and Dr. Kate Scow. There may be additional research opportunities with ASI Director Dr. Ryan Galt. Our team values diversity and applicants from historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Sciences, Agroecology, GeoSciences, or related field by the anticipated start date.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

-Substantial experience in soil health measurement, including sampling and analysis.
-Demonstrated statistical analysis skills with R software package.
-Strong organizational skills.
-Strong teamwork and communication skills.
-Sufficient database management skills.
-Publication record, or strong potential for developing one.

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

-Experience overseeing / leading undergraduate students’ lab work and field work.
-Soil and plant material archive management skills.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research Interest

  • 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.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3 letters of reference required
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04937

Help contact: bknijjar@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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Job location

Davis, CA