NEW JOBS Today.

1

A one-year postdoctoral position, with the possibility of extension for an additional year depending on performance evaluation and funding, is available to join an interdisciplinary research teaching effort focused on Cross-Scale Fire Ecophysiology.
The University of Idaho is hiring a full-time, post-doctoral researcher (based in Missoula, MT) to investigate linkages between wildland fire behavior and resulting ecological effects at micro- to macro- biological scales. The goal is to utilize these linkages for improvements to computational fluid dynamic fire models. The post-doctoral researcher will primarily investigate factors influencing thermal tolerance of plant tissue to heating associated with wildland fire. The position is a collaboration between the University of Idaho, USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, and Los Alamos National Laboratory to conduct research on thermal tolerance and dose-dependent responses of plants and aerosolized microbiota that can be incorporated into computational fluid dynamics models to predict fire effects across pedosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere boundaries.
The position requires expertise in plant ecophysiology and laboratory and field experiments used to measure plant stress and/or biological response to heating. Experience in wildland fire behavior and/or fire ecology is preferred. The incumbent will work closely with members of a multi-disciplinary team and will lead coordinating experiments and data management for the team. While knowledge of computational fluid dynamic fire models is not required, the incumbent is expected to work closely with modelers and gain an understanding of model requirements and limitations such that experimental output can be used for model innovations. The incumbent will publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
The successful candidate will report to a faculty supervisor in the Department of Natural Resources and Society at the University of Idaho, in Moscow, ID. The incumbent will be a University of Idaho employee, but will be stationed in Missoula, MT to conduct experiments at the Rocky Mountain Research Station’s Fire Sciences Laboratory. Some travel to Moscow, ID and elsewhere will be required.

The postdoctoral scientist will work with other team members to design experiments to determine physiological tolerance of various plant and/or microbial species to biomass burning. The scientist will lead the planning, implementation, data management, data analysis, and publication of the results of these experiments.

The successful candidate would be responsible for analyzing and summarizing data for plant/microbe heating and combustion experiments and presenting this data in peer-reviewed scientific publication(s).

• Postdoc may be in a position to supervise other participating graduate students or undergraduate research students with research and or analysis of data.
• Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students
• Assisting students with statistical analysis and study design questions and methods, as needed
• Performing other duties as assigned

• Education: Ph.D. degree in Natural Resources, with a focus on plant ecophysiology or related fields.
• Research Experience: documented research experience on the ecophysiology of plants
• Interest in working with biomass burning in laboratory and/or field settings
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated record of published or in-press peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on scientific manuscripts.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with a group.
• Ability to pass a background check.

• Demonstrated familiarity with fire modeling science and application.
• Experience working with biomass burning in laboratory and/or field settings
• Familiarity with fire effects modeling

Physical ability to work with controlled fire experiments in a laboratory and field setting (Missoula Fire Science Lab)

Evaluation of applicants will begin on March 5, 2021, and continue until the position is filled.

Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

The University of Idaho (U of I) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, U of I does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, genetic information or status as any protected veteran or military status in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions and educational programs.