Position overview
Position title: Waterhouse Lab: Postdoctoral Scholar
Salary range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. The posted UCSC salary scales set the minimum pay based on the individuals Experience Level, which is determined by the number of months of postdoctoral service at any institution. See the salary scale titled, Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee /Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow / Postdoctoral Scholar-Paid Direct -Fiscal Year. A reasonable estimate for this position is $66,737.

Percent time: Full-time (100%)

Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of applications. Ph.D. must be in hand at the time of the initial appointment.

Position duration: Postdoctoral Scholar appointments are full-time; the initial appointment is for a minimum of two years, with the possibility of reappointment. Reappointment will be contingent upon positive performance review and availability of funding. The total duration of an individuals postdoctoral service may not exceed five years, including postdoctoral service at any institution. Under limited circumstances, an exception to this limit may be considered, not to exceed a sixth year.

Application Window

Open date: August 27, 2024

Next review date: Friday, Sep 27, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Dec 1, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position Description

The Department of Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for postdoctoral scholar, under the direction of Dr. Hannah Waterhouse to understand how cover crop management (planting/termination timing x species mix x termination method) influences water and nitrogen cycling with the goal of creating best management practice guidelines on how to minimize water use while maximizing water quality protection and nitrogen provisioning in semi-arid environments. The postdoctoral scholar will establish, manage, and coordinate field research examining the balance between cover crop water use by assessing all components of the soil water balance vs. water quality protection and nitrogen provisioning to the cash crop across three years at UCSCs farm, as well as on working farms across the Central Coast Region. the postdoctoral scholar will install moisture sensors and suction lysimeters, collect and analyze soil, soil solution, and plant samples for different nitrogen pools, and measure plot level evapotranspiration with an adapted infrared gas analyzer. Additionally, shorter duration greenhouse experiments will be conducted to examine the rates of organic nitrogen depolymerization and subsequent mineralization using a soil micro-dialysis method and to trace the fate of nitrogen using heavy labeled nitrogen isotopes. The selected candidate will have demonstrated a strong publishing record, deep understanding and successful implementation of field trials, soil and plant analyses of varying nitrogen pools, spectrophotometry and isotopic tracing laboratory methods, as well as statistical analysis, and an ability to successfully mentor a diverse group of students.

Applicants with expertise in soil sciences, biogeochemistry, agroecology, or ecosystem ecology, with a focus on stable isotope chemistry, nitrogen cycling, hydrology, and statistical analyses are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
All documents and materials must be submitted as PDFs and should be forwarded to Dr. Hannah Waterhouse at hawaterh@ucsc.edu.

Please refer to Position JPF01813 in all correspondence.

Required Documents/Materials

• Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Writing sample: preferably a pdf of a peer reviewed publication of which you are an author, or another type of relevant publication.
• Contact information for three references
• Statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion: Statement addressing your understanding of the barriers facing traditionally underrepresented groups and your past and/or future contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion through teaching and professional or public service. Candidates are urged to review guidelines on statements (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/diversity.html) before preparing their application (optional).

RECRUITMENT PERIOD
Full consideration will be given to applications completed by September 27th, 2024. Applications received after this date will be considered only if the position has not been filled.

Environmental Studies Department: https://envs.ucsc.edu/index.html

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
See additional qualifications.

Additional qualifications
Ph.D. (or equivalent foreign degree) in soil sciences, biogeochemistry, agroecology, or ecosystem ecology. Degree must be in hand at the time of the initial appointment.

Help contact: hawaterh@ucsc.edu

About UC Santa Cruz

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the Universitys equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to the Equity and Equal Protection Office at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 or by email at equity@ucsc.edu.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h UBiz3WS3z Er EGOh SOu7KZZPz Gk Twr_2/view?usp=sharing. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check (see https://www.uscis.gov/e-verify). The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz (see https://apo.ucsc.edu/policy/capm/102.530.html).

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (Nor Cal HERC). Visit the Nor Cal HERC website at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-northern-california/ to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance. For information about employee benefits please visit https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz: https://www.ucsc.edu

Job location

Santa Cruz, California

To apply, visit https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01813

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