Coastal Biogeochemistry Postdoc: Plant–Soil Interactions

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement Plan

Health Savings Accounts

Dental Plan

Vision Plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a postdoctoral researcher in Coastal Biogeochemistry to study how plant traits and soil properties influence resilience of Gulf Coast wetlands, using field observations and mesocosm experiments.

The role involves collaboration with EGRET teams, integrating AI/ML, remote sensing, and process-based models to understand plant-microbial-soil interactions under inundation and salinity gradients. PhD required; appointment up to 24 months.

Qualifications

• PhD completed within the last 5 years or soon.
• Strong publication record and conference presentations.
• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated experimental design and data analysis skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead field campaigns to collect plant material, soil cores, and soil water from coastal wetlands.
• Lead a lab mesocosm experiment linking phenotyping with geochemical and microbial measurements.
• Operate and interpret data from geochemical and imaging equipment.
• Collaborate with modelers and empiricists across disciplines to meet project objectives.
• Present results within the group and at conferences; publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

Independent research

Collaborative work

Experiment design

Data analysis

Communication

Education

PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences / related field

Tools

Picarro gas analyzer

Rhizovision Explorer

Shimadzu TOC-L

ICP-MS/OES

Aqualog (EEMS/UV-VIS)

Job description

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a postdoctoral researcher in Coastal Biogeochemistry to study how plant traits and soil properties influence resilience of Gulf Coast wetlands, using field observations and mesocosm experiments.

The role involves collaboration with EGRET teams, integrating AI/ML, remote sensing, and process-based models to understand plant-microbial-soil interactions under inundation and salinity gradients. PhD required; appointment up to 24 months.