Post Doctoral Research Associate - Climate Smart Agriculture

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued-and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

The UMass Extension Agriculture Program is seeking applicants to fill a postdoctoral research associate position in Amherst, Massachusetts. Duties will be performed under a funded agreement with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to develop a system to track the use of climate-smart agricultural practices in Massachusetts, including healthy soils management practices identified in the Massachusetts Healthy Soils Action Plan. The project also intends to advance understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon sequestration occurring on Massachusetts croplands and managed grasslands, including assessing the greenhouse gas and other benefits of climate-smart agricultural practices.

Essential Functions

• Conduct literature review and engage with experts and practitioners in the field, at UMass and other institutions.
• Apply an understanding of agricultural practices and methods of assessing their carbon footprints to identify crops and practices with the greatest potential for adoption that results in decreases in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations (e.g. through emissions reductions or carbon sequestration).
• Assess existing tools for tracking adoption of climate-smart practices in other jurisdicitions and evaluate their potential for adaptation to Massachusetts agriculture, including pros and cons, potential roles and responsibilities for agency and other actors, and feedback from key stakeholders.
• Develop estimates of the potential GHG emissions impacts of applying the identified practices in Massachusetts, on a per-unit-area and aggregate statewide basis. Initial estimates using tools such as COMET-Farm, COMET-Planner, and CaRPE will be refined based on literature review and consultation with experts.
• For a subset of practices, conduct a qualitative assessment of co-benefits and disbenefits, considering effects on soil health, farm productivity, farm resilience, economics, climate adaptation, public health, and other environmental factors.
• Draft a report containing updated data and calculations pertaining to the GHG inventory implications of the land uses and practices analyzed over the course of the project, as well as relevant recommendations that can contribute to a roadmap for implementing comprehensive inventory improvements.
• Prepare and submit materials for publication as appropriate.

Other Functions

• Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.
• Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Ph.D. degree in an agricultural, soil sciences, or other relevant field.
• A strong record of coursework , independent research, and/or professional experience related to GHG emissions, carbon sequestration, agricultural practices, or related topics.
• Demonstrated competence in data management, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Understanding of key Massachusetts agricultural crops and practices.
• One or more years developing and/or critiquing tools used by public agencies to track and/or incentivize behavior related to climate change or a relevant domain.
• One or more years of experience working with GHG assessments, including use of models that predict the effects of on-the-ground practices.
• Experience with one or more systems designed to specifically model GHG implications of agricultural practices (e.g. COMET-Farm).
• Track record of proactively consulting with peers and experts and incorporating feedback to improve project quality and efficiency.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to travel to and attend meetings is expected.

Additional Details

• The start date for this position is as soon as possible after a hiring decision is made.
• Project duration is approximately 14 months.
• Position is located in Amherst, MA, with travel as needed for meetings, primarily in Massachusetts. The potential for hybrid or remote status can be discussed with the preferred candidate.
• The incumbent will work under the general supervision of Principal Investigator Clem Clay and Co-PI's Dr. Sam Glaze-Corcoran and Dr. Matthew Winnick.

Salary Information

The University of Massachusetts Amherst expects to pay within an approximate range between $62,838 and $99,990 for this position.

The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

Please note - the collective bargaining agreement sets hiring ranges based on years of experience as follows (1) 0-2 years of experience $62,838 and $66,286 (2) 3-4 years of experience $66,287 and $71,032 (3) 5+ years of experience $71,033 and $99,990.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

At UMass Amherst and in CNS, we strive to be a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging, where every individual is included, and where every individual is valued. You can find these values and goals here:https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.