Department: DGE – Global Ecology

Salary: $82,467

Location: Stanford, CA

The Carnegie Institution for Science’s Global Ecology group invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at its Stanford Campus. Scientists in the Global Ecology group conduct basic and applied research into the interactions among the Earth’s ecosystems and people. The Carnegie Institution has a deep commitment to scientific excellence and diversity; we strongly encourage applications from candidates who will enrich and foster a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. 

The selected fellow will join a collaborative team of scientists working to understand how ecosystems on land respond to environmental conditions (and changes), to better represent those responses in models, and to build understanding of pathways to a more sustainable society. The fellow will work under the guidance of Dr. Jeff Dukes, a Senior Staff Scientist with the Carnegie Institution for Science.

There is some flexibility in the specific work of the Postdoctoral Fellow, but in general the successful applicant will be expected to examine the influence of microclimates on vegetation, the influence of vegetation on microclimates, and the ways in which microclimates’ effects on ecosystem processes scale up to the landscape level and beyond.  The fellow could become involved in local fieldwork, and/or use land models, remotely sensed datasets, and global databases to examine the importance of microclimatic influences from the local to the global level.  We will be looking for candidates who have interest in being involved in some level of fieldwork and some level of modeling.  The exact mix of these is flexible, and to be determined.

Responsibilities: 

• Work closely and collaboratively with other scientists to design, implement, and summarize experiments and analyses that explore microclimatic heterogeneity and its implications for ecosystem processes, from local to global scales;
• Publish results in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals; 
• Present results at conferences and seminars. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Ph.D. in biology, earth system science, or a related field;
• Excellent mathematical skills and basic computer programming;
• Working familiarity with a land surface model and/or its components;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Evidence of ability to work independently and in teams;
• Commitment to a collegial and inclusive workplace. 

Familiarity with geographical information systems would also be a benefit.

This project will be based on the Stanford campus; the Fellow will be expected to work on site.  The initial appointment will be for one year, but can be extended based on performance and funding availability. The position is available immediately, but the starting date is flexible. Informal inquiries and questions about the position should be directed to Jeff Dukes (e-mail: jdukes@carnegiescience.edu ). 

Postdoctoral Fellows at Carnegie have access to valuable research resources to launch successful scientific careers in and beyond academia, including technical support staff, research equipment, and computing/IT resources. Opportunities to partner with other Carnegie scientists may also be available depending on the Fellow’s interests. Carnegie seeks to provide a culture of mentoring and professional development for all postdoctoral scientists; funding is available for travel to scientific conferences, and additional professional development/training programs are offered internally.

Applications will only be considered when submitted through our application portal (see blue bar below). Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, CV, and the names and contact information of at least three professional references.

Carnegie is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration of employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse research community and we encourage applications by members of all underrepresented groups.