Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Montana State University; Bozeman (MT); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University’s Department of Land Resources & Environ Sci seeks a PhD-level researcher to advance soil functional type frameworks and biogeochemical analyses under an EPSCoR project. You will work with Montana field campaigns, regional datasets, and national laboratories.

Responsibilities include developing ML-based SFTs, mapping if samples, and coordinating with PNNL and LLNL teams. Requires strong data skills, independent work style, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD in soil science, biogeochemistry, environmental data science, Earth system modeling, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience applying statistical or machine learning methods to environmental or geospatial datasets.
• Proficiency in a scientific programming language (R or Python).
• Experience working with large environmental or soil datasets.
• Demonstrated experience with written and oral scientific communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop Soil Functional Type (SFT) framework using global observational soil data.
• Apply unsupervised machine learning to depth-explicit SFTs.
• Assess biogeochemical representativeness and map SFT; identify data gaps.
• Support Montana field sampling campaigns with analytical/logistical tasks.
• Integrate field data into SFT validation and coordinate benchmarking with collaborators.
• Explore Earth System Model structures and contribute to EMSL proposal development; participate in an extended residency at PNNL.

Skills

Machine learning

Statistical methods

R or Python

Environmental data

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in soil science or related field

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27112

Position Number

Position Number 4C7717

Department

Department Land Resources & Environ Sci

Division

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Research Professional

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary $65,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

The Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences ( LRES ) at Montana State University conducts research and teaching across soil science, ecology, hydrology, and natural resource management. This position supports a newly funded DOE Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) project led by PI Dr. Sophie von Fromm, in partnership with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Soil Functional Type ( SFT ) Framework Development
  • Compile and harmonize global observational soil databases in support of SFT framework development.
  • Apply (unsupervised) machine learning methods to develop depth-explicit SFTs.
• Biogeochemical Representativeness Analysis & SFT Mapping
  • Evaluate whether existing global soil databases adequately sample the biogeochemical. process space relevant to soil organic matter ( SOM ) dynamics.
  • Produce global SFT maps and identify priority data/sampling gaps.
• Field Campaign Support
  • Provide analytical and logistical support for a Montana field sampling campaign.
  • Integrate field-collected data (reactive mineralogy, radiocarbon, SOM fractionation) into SFT validation.
• Lead benchmarking activities in close collaboration with Dr. Avni Malhotra ( PNNL ).
• Diagnose where current Earth System Model structures fail to represent mineral–organic matter controls on carbon persistence.
• Complete an extended research residency at PNNL ; contribute to development of an EMSL user proposal for molecular-scale characterization.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• PhD in soil science, biogeochemistry, environmental data science, Earth system modeling, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience applying statistical or machine learning methods to environmental or geospatial datasets.
• Proficiency in a scientific programming language (R or Python).
• Experience working with large environmental or soil datasets.
• Demonstrated experience with written and oral scientific communication.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience with unsupervised machine learning methods.
• Experience with Earth System Models (e.g., E3SM/ ELM ) or land surface/biogeochemical modeling.
• Background in soil biogeochemistry, mineralogy, or soil organic matter dynamics.
• Prior experience collaborating with national laboratories or large multi-institutional research teams.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent project objectives.
• Strong collaborator across disciplines, institutions, and remote research teams.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with strong data management practices.
• Adaptable to both computational/lab-based work and field-based research settings.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

• Position is contingent upon continued DOE EPSCoR grant funding.
• Requires an extended research residency at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (Richland, WA).
• Occasional travel to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Montana field sites required.
• Occasional travel to national scientific conferences (e.g., AGU ) required.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

Most work is computer-based. Field campaign support may require traversing uneven outdoor terrain, digging and soil sampling, and transporting up to 40 lbs, with exposure to variable weather conditions.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Position supervisory duties

Does this position have supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Open Date

Close Date

Close Date

Applications will be

Candidate screening will begin on October 7, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Supplemental Questions

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