Postdoctoral Fellow PalEON: a Paleo-Ecological Observatory Network to assess terrestrial ecosystem models
http://www.paleonproject.com Postdoctoral position in ecosystem model-data synthesis is available with the PalEON research team. This is one of three postdoctoral positions available. Duties: Candidate will be expected to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research group of paleoecologists, statisticians, and modelers with the aim of assimilating paleoecological data for northern temperate forests into a suite of regional-scale ecosystem models. The primary responsibility is to analyze model dynamics, to assess model-data fidelity across multiple models, and to help coordinate model-data inter-comparison activities among the modeling teams. The secondary responsibility is to help complete the Ecosystem Demography model runs for the model-data intercomparison. Research questions focus on validating ecosystem models at centennial timescales, making inference about presettlement ecosystem dynamics and biogeochemical cycles, and exploring the sensitivity of climate change projections to historical vegetation. Position will be supervised by Dr. Michael Dietze at the University of Illinois. Qualifications: Minimum qualifications are a doctoral degree in a relevant ecological or environmental science. The ideal candidate would have experience with more than one of the following areas: ecosystem models, paleoecological data, Bayesian statistics, R, linux, computer programming, data assimilation, and climate downscaling techniques. Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Two years of funding available. The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Evaluation of applications is rolling with a preferred start summer 2011 Interested applicants are encouraged to send a CV and cover letter with the names and contact information of three references to Melinda LaBorg [email protected]. For more information contact Dr. Michael Dietze [email protected] --
