Postdoctoral Scholar

Azchiefsofpolice; Flagstaff (AZ); On-site; USD 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Arizona University seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to join NSF-funded research on amino acid biogeochemistry, advancing racemization methods for dating Last Interglacial shorelines and studying amino acids in lake sediment. The role emphasizes hands-on biogeochemical analysis within an interdisciplinary team.

The position will primarily operate on-site at NAU's Flagstaff Mountain Campus, with collaboration across domestic and international researchers.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: PhD in Earth Science, Environmental Science, Biogeochemistry, or related field by start date.
• Skills: Organizational and project management skills; Leadership, coordination, and/or supervision; Data collection, processing and analysis.
• Abilities: Highly motivated to perform research in a collaborative environment; Establishes and maintains effective working relationships; Communicates effectively.

Responsibilities

• 75% - Research & Data Analysis: Analyze and interpret amino acid datasets; Perform statistical and computational analyses; Collaborate with faculty and graduate students; Prepare publications; Present at seminars and conferences.
• 20% - Laboratory Operations & Technical Support: Conduct amino acid analyses using HPLC; Manage and curate sample collections; Maintain QC procedures; Train students.
• 5% - Other: Other duties as assigned.

Job description

Special Information

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.


• This position is subject to the availability of funding.


• Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver’s license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the NAU website.

About the Department/College

The School of Earth & Sustainability is part of the College of the Environment, Forestry & Natural Science at Northern Arizona University's Flagstaff Mountain Campus.

About the Position

We seek a Postdoctoral Scholar to join NSF-funded research projects exploring amino acid biogeochemistry across two complementary ongoing projects:

1. Developing amino acid geochronology applied to high sea-level deposits globally. This project advances amino acid racemization methods for dating Last Interglacial shorelines (~125,000 years ago) when global sea levels were higher than today—a critical time interval for understanding ice-sheet stability and coastal responses to warming. The scholar will measure amino acid racemization in a curated global collection of marine mollusk shells from dozens of Last Interglacial sites to create temperature-dependent age benchmarks that can reliably date shells from undated localities. The work will generate a transformative dataset that will make amino acid geochronology more robust and widely applicable.


2. Investigating amino acids in lake sediment. This project investigates amino acid racemization and decomposition patterns in radiocarbon-dated and laboratory-heated lake sediment to understand organic matter cycling over thousands to millions of years. The scholar will measure reaction parameters for amino acid racemization and decomposition in lake sediment cores across geographically diverse lakes. By quantifying how microbial biomarkers track organic matter processing alongside amino acid alteration in sediments with contrasting organic matter content, this work contributes to understanding the long‑term fate of organic matter in lakes.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to develop expertise in biogeochemical analysis and its applications to paleoclimate research while working within an interdisciplinary team. This includes opportunities to collaborate with the ACE Isotope Lab, providing direct access to state-of-the-art facilities for integrating radiocarbon with amino acid datasets. The scholar will gain hands‑on experience with analytical techniques, data interpretation, manuscript preparation, and collaboration with domestic and international researchers.

Responsibilities Include

75% -Research & Data Analysis

• Analyze and interpret amino acid datasets (D/L ratios, racemization patterns, amino acid compositions) in support of geochronological and paleoenvironmental research questions.


• Perform statistical and computational analyses of amino acid data; interpret results within paleoenvironmental context.


• Collaborate with faculty and graduate students in research projects.


• Prepare publications of research findings for peer-reviewed journals.


• Present research results at research seminars and regional/national conferences.

20% -Laboratory Operations & Technical Support

• Conduct amino acid analyses on marine shells and lake sediment samples using HPLC and related analytical techniques.


• Manage and curate sample collections; maintain records of analyses and QC procedures Support the operations and maintenance of the Amino Acid Geochronology Laboratory as a shared-user research facility.


• Assist in training graduate and undergraduate students in laboratory techniques and data interpretation.

5% - Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Earth Science, Environmental Science, Biogeochemistry, or related field by the start date

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with research into Quaternary geochronology and paleoenvironments.


• Background in organic geochemistry.


• Track record of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the use of laboratory/field instruments and tools.


• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of the subject disciplines.

Skills

• Organizational and project management skills.


• Leadership, coordination, and/or supervision skills.


• Data collection, processing and analysis.

Abilities

• Highly motivated to perform research in a collaborative environment.


• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.


• Communicates effectively.

Compensation

Salary range is $58,882 to $70,000.Annual salarycommensurate with candidate's qualifications and relatedexperience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campushason-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at [phone] or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the \"Apply\" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.
If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, [e-mail], or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.