Postdoctoral Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley Labs; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UC retirement plan (Safe Harbor)

Paid time off incl. holidays

Postdoctoral Paid Family Leave

Professional development & networking

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Division is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to explore controls on soil carbon and nutrient cycling and their response to soil temperature and depth. The role involves a grassland soil-warming experiment in Point Reyes, CA, with opportunities to apply isotopic analysis, remote sensing, and ML/AI tools, under the guidance of Margaret Torn.

Applicants should have a recent Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Recent Ph.D. in ecology, soil science, biogeochemistry, earth sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in biogeochemistry.
• Demonstrated fieldwork experience.
• Experience handling large datasets and applying statistical analyses.
• Ability to spend multiple days per month at a field site, including overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to carrying out a whole-soil warming experiment in collaboration with a multidisciplinary research team.
• Develop and pursue new research questions and innovative techniques related to soils and plant-soil interactions.
• Characterize carbon and nutrient cycling (e.g., N, P) in the warming experiment, including trace gas fluxes.
• Measure and utilize elemental and isotopic composition of soil, plant, and/or gas samples.
• Communicate research outcomes in scientific publications and presentations.
• Set up, operate, and maintain field and laboratory instruments.
• Contribute to the development of grant proposals and progress reports.
• Evaluate model structures and parameters and contribute to the improvement of model capabilities.
• Participate in studies of plant physiological responses, proximal remote sensing, microbial carbon use efficiency and microbial community responses, or subsurface water and dissolved organic matter chemistry.
• Contribute to laboratory investigations of soil organic matter and organo-mineral interactions.

Skills

Biogeochemistry

Fieldwork experience

Statistical analyses

Data handling

Microclimate monitoring

Modeling soil biogeochemical cycling

Independent collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in ecology/soil science/biogeochemistry/earth sciences

Tools

R

Matlab

Job description

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Division is seeking an innovative Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate the controls of soil carbon and nutrient cycling, and how these cycles are affected by soil temperature and soil depth.

You will contribute to a cutting-edge grassland soil-warming experiment in Point Reyes, California, and advance the mechanistic understanding of soil biogeochemistry and its role in plant-soil feedbacks. They will use field and laboratory measurements, including advanced and emerging techniques such as isotopic analysis, remote sensing, or AL/ML to study and scale the effects of soil warming, depth, moisture, and plant processes on ecosystem cycling of soil carbon, nitrogen, and other nutrients.

Join our dynamic research team of experts in soil biogeochemistry, plant and microbial ecology, geochemistry, and process-rich modeling. The primary advisor is Margaret Torn. If you are fascinated by terrestrial biogeochemistry, excited about fieldwork, and eager to engage with theoretical or predictive models, we encourage you to apply.

This position has an anticipated start date of March 1, 2027 but later dates will be considered.

You will:

• Contribute to carrying out a whole-soil warming experiment in collaboration with a multidisciplinary research team.
• Develop and pursue new research questions and innovative techniques related to soils and plant-soil interactions.
• Characterize carbon and nutrient cycling (e.g, N, P,) in the warming experiment, including trace gas fluxes.
• Measure and utilize elemental and isotopic composition of soil, plant, and/or gas samples.
• Communicate research outcomes in scientific publications and presentations.
• Set up, operate, and maintain field and laboratory instruments.
• Contribute to the development of grant proposals and progress reports.

Additional research opportunities:

• Evaluate model structures and parameters and contribute to the improvement of model capabilities.
• Participate in studies of plant physiological responses, proximal remote sensing, microbial carbon use efficiency and microbial community responses, or subsurface water and dissolved organic matter chemistry.
• Contribute to laboratory investigations of soil organic matter and organo-mineral interactions.

We are looking for:

• Recent Ph.D. in ecology, soil science, biogeochemistry, earth sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in biogeochemistry.
• Demonstrated experience conducting fieldwork.
• Experience handling large datasets and applying statistical analyses.
• Ability to spend multiple days per month at a field site, including overnight stays.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Proficiency in R, Matlab, or equivalent software for efficient data handling and organization.
• Background in modeling soil biogeochemical cycling.
• Familiarity with manipulative experiments.
• Experience monitoring microclimates.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Why join Berkeley Lab?

• Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options available
• 24 days of Personal Time Off (PTO) per fiscal year, plus sick leave and paid holidays
• Eight weeks of Postdoctoral Paid Family Leave for qualifying family and parental needs
• Opportunities to connect, network, and grow through the Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association , including social events, professional development, and scientific exchange
• A collaborative and inclusive culture where you can grow your research career and belong

Berkeley Lab’s mission is to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and play a role in addressing global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Additional information:

Application date:

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by December 1, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

Appointment type:

This is a full-time, 2 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.

Salary range:

The monthly salary range for this position is $6,790 - $9,234 and is expected to start at $6,790 or above. Postdoc positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D postdoctoral and/or related research experience.

Background check:

This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

Work modality:

Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here ).

Work authorization:

Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Union Represented: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here .