Agency

Jornada Experimental Range at New Mexico State University

Location

Las Cruces, NM

Job Category

Post Doctoral Appointments

Salary

TBD, benefits and relocation expenses included

Start Date

01/01/2023

Last Date to Apply

09/01/2022

Website

https://jornada.nmsu.edu

Description

The Jornada Experimental Range at New Mexico State University is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with a background in dryland science and ecology to investigate the links among land management and restoration practices and wind erosion. This position will leverage the recently developed Landscape Data Commons (LDC) and Aeolian EROsion (AERO) wind erosion model to produce original, applied research to inform dryland science and support land management and conservation actions on US rangelands. The LDC is an inter-agency monitoring data repository and portal, led by the USDA-ARS at the Jornada Experimental Range, that connects standardized monitoring data to analysis tools to support land management and research. AERO is an aeolian sediment transport and dust emission modeling scheme developed to leverage standardized ecological monitoring data to produce plot-scale estimates of horizontal (saltation) and vertical (dust emission) sediment flux. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with a diverse partnership of scientists and natural resource managers under the supervision of Drs. Sarah McCord, Nicholas Webb, and Brandon Edwards to conduct original research that quantifies landscape response to management treatments—including fuel removal, restoration efforts, and post-fire treatments, among others—and the impact of treatments on wind erosion and associated ecosystem attributes. Specifically, the candidate will identify critical gaps in our current understanding of the impact of management on ecogeomorphic interactions on rangelands, specifically relating to wind erosion, 2) develop methodologies that leverage the LDC database of standard monitoring data and model estimates to address these gaps, and 3) produce research products that communicate findings to the dryland science community and provide guidance to stakeholders on how to improve management and restoration practices.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a PhD in ecology, geography, natural resources, or a related discipline. Candidates should also have a demonstrated knowledge of scientific computing (including Python and R) and experience with large dataset manipulation and analysis. Preference will be given to those with a background that includes restoration ecology, wind erosion or aeolian processes. Familiarity with data collected as part of national rangeland inventory and monitoring programs (e.g., DOI Bureau of Land Management Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring, USDA Natural Resources Inventory) is also preferred. Successful applicants should be highly motivated and creative and be willing to work independently and as a part of a diverse, multi-disciplinary team. This position comes with benefits and relocation expense reimbursement. This appointment is for an initial period of two years but may be renewed contingent upon funding and performance. Applications will be reviewed as they are received but preference will be given to submissions made prior to August 31. The desired is on or before January 2023. Interested individuals should submit a statement outlining your experience and research interests with respect to the requisite qualifications, a current CV, and the names and contact information of three references in a single pdf document. Letters of reference may be requested of finalists. Please send questions about the position and applications to Dr. Nicholas Webb (nwebb@nmsu.edu).

Contact Person

Nick Webb

Contact eMail

nwebb@nmsu.edu

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