Fellow (Post Doc)

Post-doctoral researcher in critical zone science. A postdoctoral research position focused on soil and groundwater biogeochemistry is available in the Department of Geology at Kansas State University.

We seek an individual interested in combining gas and water compositional analyses with modeling to better understand belowground water and climate dynamics associated with land cover disturbance in grasslands. The individual must have demonstrated experience with laboratory analyses and modeling. In addition, this individual will need to show strength working with interdisciplinary teams, as this research will interface with projects at the Konza Prairie Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program.

The successful candidate will assist Dr. Matthew Kirk (Dept of Geology) and Dr. Jesse Nippert (Division of Biology) in developing soil monitoring arrays and regularly collecting and chemically analyzing water and gas samples from monitoring wells and stream locations. They will help manage data, interpret and present results at results at relevant conferences, and write peer-reviewed scientific papers. Moreover, the successful candidate will be expected to assist in the mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students.

Job Duties:
60% Collaboratively conduct research in the area of grassland ecohydrology using existing and new water and gas compositional data. Research questions may include soil-vegetation interactions across scales, changing ecohydrology, variation in mineral weathering with depth and land cover, surface-water groundwater interactions, and more. Generate manuscripts publishable in top-quality, peer-reviewed journals. Participate in national and international conferences, and participate in proposal writing using data and ideas generated via these efforts.
20% Field and laboratory tasks including water and gas sampling from wells and soil monitoring arrays and the chemical analysis of those samples.
10% Mentor undergraduate researchers for relatively small, related projects.
10% Contribute to research and lab meetings, departmental seminars and service (outreach, DEI, burning) at the Konza Prairie.

The College of Arts and Sciences provides the skills, education, resources and support that students need to succeed in any field and make their mark on the world.

This position is on-site.

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Earth Science, Environmental Science, Biology, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience with laboratory analyses, modeling, and writing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to use R, Python, or an alternative code in data analysis.

• Please submit the following documents:
• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter
• Research Statement
• Names and contact information for 3 professional references

Immediately and continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, apply by (12/01/2024).

$48,000 - $55,000