Postdoctoral Scholar - Methane Flux Estimation

Postdoctoral Scholar - Methane Flux Estimation

Location: SICCS
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Job ID: 607279
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.
• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.

Job Description

Join an exciting Northern Arizona University research team (https://gurneylab.nau.edu/) in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona doing cutting-edge research on quantifying GHG and local air pollution emissions at multiple scales from the building to the globe. This research uses existing systems (Vulcan - https://vulcan.rc.nau.edu/ and Hestia - https://hestia.rc.nau.edu) developed in the Gurney Lab over the past 20 years. This postdoctoral position will build-out anthropogenic methane (CH4) emissions at multiple scales within the US domain using “bottom-up” techniques but linking and collaborating with researchers estimating CH4 emissions from the “top-down”. The CH4 sources under consideration are landfills, wastewater, oil and gas infrastructure, and pipeline leakage.

Research & Publications - 75%

• Data and modeling to generate bottom-up CH4 emissions at fine space/time scales for the US domain.
• Requires data collection on emitting assets, developing/improving model systems for flux estimation, and coding within the existing Vulcan/Hestia software to deploy the flux estimation.
• Development of peer-reviewed publications expected.

Data Metrics - 15%

• Responsible for a asset-level and gridded inventory output (in conjunction with the existing Vulcan/Hestia systems output).

Supervision - 5%

• Supervise graduate student in assisting postdoc in all aspects of the project.

Other - 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Candidates must have received a PhD in a field related to the positions:
  • Informatics
  • Civil Engineering
  • Ecological/Environmental Sciences
  • Data Science
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Geography

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to work in team environment with effective communication skills.
• Experience with numerical modeling and geospatial statistics with strong numerical analysis abilities.
• R (python secondary) programming.
• Experience with large volume data environments and related coding.
• Knowledge and experience working with CH4 flux reporting/quantification and analysis.
• Carbon accounting/footprinting experience.
• Large code base development, landfill modeling, knowledge of top-down/bottom-up effort in GHG quantification.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge and experience working with CH4 flux reporting/quantification and analysis.
• Knowledge of GHG inventory development via bottom-up techniques.
• Knowledge associated with modeling landfills, wastewater treatment, oil & gas emissions, pipe leakage.

Skills

• Supervisory ability (graduate student supervision).
• Data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Proficiency in R programming language.
• Familiarity with large volume data processing.

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.
• Promotes a diverse, inclusive environment.

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 to $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

July 10, 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.

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.

Know Your Rights Poster

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=607279&PostingSeq=1



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