Mapped Atmosphere-Plant-Soil System Study

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Post-Doc Job Description

The MAPSS (Mapped-Atmosphere-Plant-Soil System) team of the Pacific Northwest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, is seeking an ecosystem modeler to plan and conduct research to further develop and enhance models that simulate the landscape- to global-scale impact of altered climate and disturbance regimes on the distribution and function of ecosystems including vegetation composition and the global carbon, water, and nutrient cycles. Major objectives of the research include: (1) contribute to the continual enhancement and improvement of dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) for improved understanding of the relations of climatic variability and change to ecosystem processes and disturbance patterns, such as fire, insects, and disease, from landscape to global scales; and (2) explore, for example, how sources and sinks of carbon might change over time or be modified by management practices; (3) work with others to use models and other forms of knowledge to support periodic assessments such as Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) with analyses of alternative management strategies and policies; and (4) help to develop a new toolkit for technology transfer of research results to the natural resource management community and to the broader scientific community through published literature and participation in symposia and workshops.

This position is located in the Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon, on the campus of Oregon State University. The MAPSS team builds generic process-based vegetation distribution and ecosystem process models that operate from landscape to continental and global scales. The team explores basic science processes at all relevant scales in space and time. See http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/mdr/mapss/

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in biology, ecology, atmospheric science, earth system science, quantitative ecological sciences or a related field and demonstrated capacity in programming languages. Background knowledge in one or more of population ecology, ecophysiology, canopy biophysics, and ecosystem competitive and successional processes is desirable. We encourage applicants who have a strong interest in both basic and applied science and enjoy communication and collaboration with clients and colleagues and who can work effectively in a team environment.

Initial appointment would be for a period of one year renewable and with advancement opportunities. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience at either the GS-12 or GS-13 level.

Applications must include:

• A cover letter explaining relevant interests, qualifications, experience, and future research desires.
• Curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
• Names and contact information for three references.

These materials should be sent to:

Dr. Ronald P. Neilson
USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station
3200 SW Jefferson Way
Corvallis, OR 97331 USA

Applications must be received by July 1, 2007 to receive full consideration. Start date for the position is October 1, 2007, with some flexibility.

US Forest Service - Pacific Northwest Research Station, Mapped Atmosphere-Plant-Soil System Study
Last Modified: Monday, 17 March 2008 at 13:07:30 EDT