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Soil Biogeochemist - Postdoctoral Researcher
Postdoctoral/Fellowship | livermore, CA | 11/07/2023
Job Code: PDS.1 Post-Dr Research Staff 1
Organization: Physical and Life Sciences
Position Type: Post Doctoral
Security Clearance: None/Position does not require US citizenship (assignments longer than 179 days require a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable
Company Description
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.
We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.
Pay Range
$108,840 Annually
Job Description
We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to study the interaction between agricultural soil management approaches that promote CO2 drawdown and sustainable water use (enhanced rock weathering, organic amendments, perennial mixtures, agrivoltaics), and their effects on soil carbon cycling. You will be part of a large, multi-disciplinary team investigating soil-based carbon removal through two new LLNL projects, including an LLNL Strategic Initiative grant (‘Farming Carbon’) and a DOE Energy Earthshot Research Center (‘Terraforming Soil’). In this position, you will conduct research across a network of soil field trials, primarily in California. You will conduct field work, measuring mineral weathering through a variety of approaches (isotope mass balance, alkalinity, etc.), soil GHG fluxes, and soil carbon dynamics – especially the response and composition of the mineral-associated organic carbon fraction, analyzing both time and depth-dependent effects. This role will involve collaboration across several academic institutions, as well as growers and land managers overseeing the field trials. This position is in the Environmental Isotope Systems group of the Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division.
You will
- Conduct field work and oversee soil sampling at a suite of soil field trials across California and the U.S.
- Conduct inorganic and organic C measurements, measure GHG fluxes and other soil biogeochemical variables.
- Conduct lab analyses, such as soil carbon fractionation, organic matter characterization (e.g. FTIR, 13C-NMR), soil mineralogy (XRD), isotope analyses, and analyses of secondary mineral phases.
- Collaborate closely with research partners to integrate soil biogeochemistry, microbiology, plant biology, and hydrology into numerical models that predict place-based capacity for carbon drawdown and water management.
- Communicate effectively (verbally and written) in a multidisciplinary team environment.
- Author scientific reports and publications and deliver scientific presentations.
- Assess and communicate the importance and results of soil carbon drawdown R&D to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- PhD in Biogeochemistry, Geochemistry, Geology, Biochemistry, Soil Chemistry, or a related field.
- Experience in field-based soil biogeochemistry, soil geochemistry, or ecosystem/soil ecology.
- Experience in quantitative analysis of geochemical and soil biogeochemistry data.
- Experience in multivariate statistical analysis; data analysis skills in R and/or Python.
- Demonstrated ability as an independent and innovative experimentalist.
- Ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
- Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills evidenced by published works and presentations.
- Proficient interpersonal skills necessary to interact professionally and productively with a diverse set of scientists, engineers, and other technical and administrative staff.
Qualifications We Desire
- Experience with soil microbiology community sampling and analysis.
- Experience with enhanced rock weathering field studies and general knowledge of silicate weathering.
- Solid understanding of soil organic matter dynamics.
- Experience with soil organic matter fractionation.
- Experience with 13C-NMR or other soil organic matter characterization tools.
- Experience participating in large, collaborative project teams.
- Experience leading or managing independent research projects.
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Position Information
This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?
- Flexible Benefits Package
- 401(k)
- Relocation Assistance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
- Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
- Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement
Security Clearance
None required. However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check. (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)
Pre-Employment Drug Test
External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
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