Postdoctoral Fellow - Department of Land, Air and Water Resource, University of California at Davis
The Position We are seeking a highly motivated and capable Postdoctoral Fellow to conduct research and lead a research team investigating the potential impacts of land use on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from vineyards in Napa and San Joaquin counties in California. These two regions represent nearly one quarter of the states total wine grape acreage [526,000 acres in CA; crushed 3.7 million tons (Crush Report, 2008)]. California supports nearly half of the nations grape acreage, and represents a $50 billion annual input to the economy. In particular, this project will identify how vineyard management practices, soil landscape relationships and microclimate affect GHG emissions, carbon (C) stocks, and GHG footprints, and identify tradeoffs for other ecosystem functions. The primary role of this position is to quantify and study mechanisms of GHG emissions associated with vineyard land use practices across the soil landscape, conduct a life cycle analysis (LCA) of GHG emissions and serve as the project leader working closely with PIs and field crews. Although LCAs are available for the fermentation of grapes into wine, vineyard-based LCAs of GHG emissions are coarse and rarely incorporate GHGs emitted by soil and as a result of management. Dependent upon the candidates strengths and interests, the project may focus on parameterization of models (i.e., DeNitrification DeComposition model), ecological tradeoffs associated with management practices (i.e., water management, productivity, nutrient loss), and/or interaction of vineyard practices with adjacent land use types. The candidate will also oversee development of a GIS database demonstrating the effect of land use history and the soil landscape on soil organic matter and other characteristics. This project will support the establishment of an interactive web-based geographic model for assessing GHG emissions from vineyards. Location: Davis, CA Salary: $40K plus benefits Duration: 1 year, renewable up to 2 years To be successful in this position you will need: A Ph.D. qualification in the field of ecology, climate change, soil science, biogeochemistry, geomorphology, physical geography or simulation modeling. A strong background in research on land use change, geographic information systems (i.e., software), greenhouse gas emissions, and/or nutrient cycling. Well developed organizational and communication skills, and enjoy working in a team environment involving research scientists, industry, cooperative extension, and non-profit organizations. Please send inquiries and/or CV, cover letter, three references, and research goals to Dr. Anthony (Toby) O'Geen ([email protected]) or Dr. Kerri Steenwerth ([email protected]). Closing date: Position open until filled.
