Arctic Vegetation Dynamics Postdoctoral Fellow

The Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Division (CESD )at Berkeley Lab seeks a postdoctoral researcher to combine observational synthesis, ecological theory, and numerical model development to explore Arctic tundra responses and feedbacks to climate. The position is part of the NGEE Arctic project (https://ngee-arctic.ornl.gov/), a long-term, DOE-funded effort to combine observational and theoretical approaches to build better representations of Arctic ecosystems in the DOE Earth system model (Energy Exascale Earth System Model, E3SM).
For this position, we are interested in exploring changes in shrub distribution due to projected climate warming, and the resulting potential climate feedbacks. The postdoc will synthesize existing observations and develop and test model code to improve the representation of arctic plant functional types in ELM-FATES, a vegetation demographic model integrated in E3SM. The postdoc will design and conduct model experiments and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
The postdoc will interact and collaborate with the broader, multidisciplinary team of ecologists and modelers in the project.

What You Will Do:

• Build and test representation of Arctic vegetation and biogeochemistry in ELM-FATES across site-level, regional, and pan-Arctic domains
• Test model sensitivity to uncertainty in nutrient cycling, plant traits, and disturbance regime.
• Analyze observations from NGEE-Arctic and other sites, and ground-based and remote sensing datasets to calibrate the model and evaluate its performance
• Conduct model experiments on the effect of climate change on arctic ecosystems, and in particular the role of dynamic vegetation in those impacts.

What is Required:

• Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., climate science, ecology, plant physiology, forestry)
• Proficient coding skills in data analysis languages (python, R), compiled languages such as Fortran, and open-science tools (Jupyter, github) or demonstrated ability to acquire them.
• Knowledge of and interest in carbon cycle and ecological science concepts
• Experience with analysis of both observational and model-derived datasets
• Ability to understand and use state-of-the-art land-surface biogeochemical models
• Evidence of ability to publish research results in peer-reviewed journals
• Ability and desire to work within an integrated, multi-institution team whose activities span from field research to Earth system model development

The position will remain open until filled. However, for full consideration, please apply by January 31, 2022 with the following application materials:
CV

• Contact information for three references (References will be contacted only after an interview)
• PDFs of two journal publications

Want to learn more about Berkeley Lab's Culture, Benefits and answers to FAQs? Please visit: https://recruiting.lbl.gov/

Notes:

• This is a full-time, 1 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 4 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• Salary will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
• For questions, contact Margaret Torn (mstorn@lbl.gov) or Bill Riley (wjriley@lbl.gov)

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