Grassland Carbon Modeling Postdoc (MEND)

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus; Norman (OK); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance grassland ecosystem modeling, soil carbon dynamics, and ecological forecasting. The successful candidate will work on prognostic models, high-resolution carbon flux products, and data assimilation within the Center for Grassland Ecosystem Forecasting in Oklahoma and beyond.

The role focuses on implementing and refining the MEND model, integrating microbial processes, soil dynamics, and

Qualifications

• PhD in ecosystem ecology or closely related field required.
• Strong background in ecosystem and carbon-cycle modeling.
• Proficiency in programming languages (Fortran, Python, R, Julia, MATLAB).
• Strong quantitative, writing, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated publication record or clear potential for peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Develop, calibrate, and evaluate ecosystem models, especially MEND, for grassland carbon-cycle simulations.
• Use long-term experimental and observational data from Oklahoma grassland sites (KAEFS, eddy covariance) to improve parameterization and evaluate performance.
• Assimilate data products from diagnostic models and remote sensing into prognostic model simulations.
• Generate geospatial data products of biomass and soil organic carbon stocks at high spatial/temporal resolution.
• Conduct scenario simulations to assess grassland carbon responses to climate variability, extreme events, and land-use change.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team across ecology, remote sensing, AI/ML, and biogeochemistry.
• Lead and contribute to peer-reviewed publications, presentations, data products, and proposals.

Skills

Ecosystem modeling

Biogeochemistry

Ecological forecasting

Statistics

Machine learning

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in ecosystem ecology

Tools

Fortran

Python

R

Julia

MATLAB

Job description

The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance grassland ecosystem modeling, soil carbon dynamics, and ecological forecasting. The successful candidate will work on prognostic models, high-resolution carbon flux products, and data assimilation within the Center for Grassland Ecosystem Forecasting in Oklahoma and beyond.

The role focuses on implementing and refining the MEND model, integrating microbial processes, soil dynamics, and