Post-Doctoral Position Announcement: Ecophysiologist and Forest Modeler Department of Forestry, Michigan State University
Position description: The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University, in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station, is seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher for measuring and modeling growth and health of large pine trees as well as young plantations within mixed- conifer forest in California. The researcher will be co-advised by Dr. Sophan Chhin (MSU) and Dr. Jianwei Zhang (USDA FS PSW) and will be responsible for coordinating, planning and conducting the field and laboratory components of the project, with assistance from field and laboratory technicians. Primary responsibilities will be focused on measuring ecophysiological variables of large trees after stand restoration treatments and modelling their growth with process-based models. In addition, the incumbent will also model the development of young mixed conifer plantations. The post- doctoral researcher will be an integral member of an active research team and will be expected to actively participate in publishing and proposal writing, and to contribute to mentoring student researchers involved in the project. The position will begin as a one-year appointment, with annual extensions available for an additional two years depending on satisfactory performance and continued availability of funds. Qualifications: The successful applicant will have: 1) a PhD in forestry, ecophysiology, stable isotopes, or related field; 2) knowledge and experience with operating ecophysiological instrumentation and process- based forest models (e.g., 3-PG); 3) demonstrated success in managing complex projects, including planning and conducting field work to meet multiple research objectives and supervising field and laboratory assistants; and 4) excellent verbal and written communication skills including publishing in peer-reviewed research journals. Location: The location is negotiable. It can be based either at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan or Pacific Southwest Research Station, Northern California, USA. To Apply: Applicants should email as a single PDF: 1) a cover letter detailing qualifications for the position, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) a list of 3 professional references with contact information, and 4) three samples of professional writing, to Dr. Sophan Chhin at [email protected]. Applicants are also required to formally apply for this position at the MSU Job website (https://jobs.msu.edu) for Position # 1919. Application deadline: September 21, 2015. The desired start date is as soon as possible and preferably no later than January 2016. For more information: Contact Dr. Sophan Chhin at [email protected].
