Postdoctoral Scholar

Postdoctoral Scholar

Location: SICCS
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Job ID: 606755
Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Workplace Culture

NAU aims to be the nation's preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility, and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond.



Special Information

This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.

Job Description

The objectives of this NSF-funded project are 4-fold: (1) Quantify the magnitude and duration of climate legacies on C fluxes in the western US. (2) Evaluate climatic memory and the timescales over which climate drivers impact C fluxes. (3) Determine how such legacy and memory responses vary across drylands in the western US. (4) Evaluate the importance of legacies and memory (timescales of influence) for the C cycle. The postdoc will contribute to projects related to synthesizing climate data to identify extreme climate events in the western US, and will analyze tree-ring (tree growth, forest productivity) and/or ecosystem C flux (eddy flux towers) data in the context of climate extremes to quantify climate legacies on carbon cycle components across a range of spatial and temporal scales. The postdoc will co-supervise student (undergraduate or masters) researchers and will potentially contribute to outreach and training activities.

Statistical Modeling and Computation - 45%

• Develop and apply statistical models (e.g., hierarchical Bayesian and/or machine learning) to climate, tree-ring, flux tower, and/or satellite remote sensing (of vegetation productivity) data.
• Develop / use models to identify extreme climate events and to evaluate how various carbon cycle flux components are impacted by such extreme events (i.e., quantify climate legacies and climate memory).

Dissemination of Results and Publications - 20%

• Lead and contribute to manuscripts emerging from research projects; publish manuscripts in high quality journals in the field; disseminate project results via oral/poster presentations at professional conferences.

Data Management and Data Wrangling - 15%

• Assist with acquisition and preparation of publicly available datasets.
• Prepare datasets for subsequent statistical analysis.
• Create meta-data and document works flows involving data; contribute to appropriate data sharing and data publication.
• Contribute to collection of new data (tree-rings) and documentation and preservation of that data.

Supervise Project Participants - 10%

• Supervise or co-supervise student researchers (undergraduate or MS students) involved in project tasks.

Contribute to training and outreach activities - 5%

• Assist with developing and/or delivering short training modules for the project team, based on areas of expertise relative to project.
• Assist or lead outreach activities (such as co-organizing workshops or symposium for conferences, or engaging with project stakeholders).

Other - 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent doctorate in a relevant field is required, such as ecology, environmental science, forestry, statistics or data science, informatics, or similar.

Preferred Qualifications

• Statistical modeling and coding experience.
• Experience working with ecological data and/or climate data.
• Basic understanding of climate science and ecosystem ecology.
• Demonstrated ability to write and publish scientific manuscripts.
• Bayesian statistical modeling experience.
• Experience applying machine learning methods.
• Knowledgeable with coding languages, particularly R.
• Experience using high performance computing.
• Experience working with tree rings, flux tower data, and/or remote sensing data.
• Excellent data management skills.
• Good collaborative skills and team-working abilities.
• Good oral communicator and experience giving oral or poster presentations.
• Experience mentoring / supervising students, employees, or staff.
• Experience working with large datasets.
• Organized, responsive, and reliable.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of the subject disciplines.

Skills

• Organizational and project management skills.
• Leadership, coordination, and/or supervision skills.
• Data collection, processing, and analysis skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (documents, sheets, etc.)

Abilities

• Highly motivated to perform research in a collaborative environment.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Communicates effectively.
• Possesses strong problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Anticipated salary range is $54,779 - $68,474. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

Post-Doctoral Scholars are hired on a contract basis, renewable each fiscal year for a maximum of 4 renewals (5 years) according to terms of the Arizona Board of Regents' Conditions of Post-Doctoral Service. NAU offers an excellent benefit package to Post-Doctoral Scholars including generous health, dental and vision insurance; 10 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. Participation in NAU retirement plans is not available to Post-Doctoral Scholars. More information on benefits at NAU is available at the NAU HR benefits page.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days.

Application Deadline

January 3, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

Application materials must include: 1) curriculum vitae, 2) cover letter descibing interest in project and backgound and qualifications relevant to the position, and 3) contatct information for at least 3 professional references, All application materials should be submitted electronically in PDF format.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.



To apply, visit https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=606755&PostingSeq=1



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