Opportunities

New Postdoc Position in the Lab!

The Terrestrial Ecosystems Ecology Laboratory at the University of Montana (http://www.umt.edu/biogeochemistry/) invites applications for Postdoctoral Research Associate in the area of Ecosystem Ecology and Biogeochemistry. We are especially interested in applicants who have experience using both experimental and synthetic (modeling) approaches to address carbon and nutrient interactions in terrestrial ecosystems. The successful candidate will help develop and lead a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded Research Coordination Network (RCN) project titled, INCyTE: Investigating Nutrient Cycling in Terrestrial Ecosystems: Integrating Observations, Experiments, and Models (http://www.umt.edu/incyte/). INCyTE was created to bring together communities of scientists that historically have not interacted closely: biogeochemical experimentalists and Earth system modelers. The overarching goals of INCyTE are to enhance our understanding of nutrient cycling feedbacks on the global carbon (C) cycle in general, and to integrate different investigators, data, and experimental and conceptual frameworks to improve representation of nutrient interactions and constraints on the global terrestrial C cycle in Earth system models. The postdoc will help lead the collaborative science, interact with all INCyTE participants, and take a lead role in pursuing the various synthesis ideas and efforts that emerge during the project. In addition, the candidate will be encouraged to engage in ongoing research projects in the lab. Currently, work focuses on understanding nutrient dynamics, nutrient limitation, and nutrient cycling in temperate and tropical forest ecosystems.

Required Qualifications

  • Educational background including a Ph.D. in Ecology, Biogeochemistry, or a closely related field
  • Proficiency working with large datasets and data science methods used in ecological synthesis
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and publish in the peer-reviewed scientific literature to a high standard.
  • Ability to communicate and interact well with others in a large, diverse, interdisciplinary research group
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in collaborative settings
  • Demonstrated ability to carry out innovative and insightful research using experiments and/or synthetic data and/or models
  • Knowledge and experience using analytical laboratory environment (biogeochemistry)
  • Strong theoretical and empirical background in ecology/biogeochemistry
  • Proven ability to communicate complex ideas and concepts (both orally and in writing) to scientific and non-scientific audiences

Position Details. The successful candidate will be employed by the University of Montana on a 12-month letter of appointment, including salary ($50,000 per year), medical/dental, and retirement benefits. The letter of appointment may be renewed annually and may continue for up to three years depending on funding availability and job performance. The position is located on the University of Montana campus in Missoula, MT. Missoula is one of the most beautiful university towns in the western US, offering an affordable, family-friendly lifestyle and excellent outdoor recreation opportunities in the heart of the northern Rockies. Missoula is a culturally vibrant community of about 70,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

Our Commitment to Diversity. The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its essential values of leadership, diversity, engagement and sustainability.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.  In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Employment Eligibility.  All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply. Please submit the following application materials (as a single combined PDF) directly to Dr. Cory Cleveland via email at cory.cleveland@umontana.edu

  • Letter of Interest – describing your research interests and qualifications
  • Detailed curriculum vitae - listing education and describing work experience
  • Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Applications received before October 15, 2021 will be given priority, but the position will remain open until it is filled. 

Posted 9/0/21

Additional Opportunities

I am continuously looking for intelligent, creative and highly motivated students interested in developing independent projects (M.S. or Ph.D.) in terrestrial ecosystem ecology and/or soil biogeochemical cycling. Students will be encouraged to contribute to ongoing research in tropical rain forest ecosystems, or to developing projects that address questions that are locally or regionally focused. Aspiring Ph.D. students interested in pursing research in the following areas are especially encouraged to contact me: i) the effects of global environmental change on soil carbon cycling, nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes;, ii) links between microbial community structure and soil biogeochemical processes; iii) the relationships between aboveground and belowground diversity and ecosystem processes. Students with experience using molecular microbiological techniques will be given especially strong consideration.

In general, the most competitive candidates will have a strong record of academic excellence, some prior field and/or laboratory experience and a demonstrated interest in soils and/or ecosystems research.

If you are interested in discussing specific opportunities, please contact me directly via email at: cory.cleveland@umontana.edu, and please include a current resume or CV and a brief letter of interest, including research interests, professional goals and prior experience.