The Biogeochemistry Lab at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) is searching for a post-doctoral research fellow with expertise in plant ecology, plant ecophysiology, or related vegetation sciences to join a highly-collaborative, interdisciplinary team of biogeochemists, plant ecologists, and modelers to advance COMPASS-FME, a project led by Pacific Northwest National Lab focused on coastal ecosystems transitioning between upland forest and wetland ecosystem states. COMPASS-FME in the Chesapeake Bay includes highly instrumented upland-wetland field transects and TEMPEST, a novel large-scale field manipulation in an upland coastal forest that mimics storm surge-driven intrusion of seawater and intensified precipitation. The fellow will participate in developing projects that address mechanisms of forest loss and their consequences for ecosystem functioning and collaborate on multidisciplinary science connecting plant and soil functioning with empiricists and modelers.

Qualifications

Successful candidates will have:

• A PhD in physical or natural sciences awarded by the time the position starts
• Experience with methods used in plant ecophysiology as applied to ecosystem-scale research
• Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific knowledge through publications

An ideal candidate could have one or more of the following:

• Experience in forest or wetland ecosystems• Experience in tree ecology or ecophysiology
• Good quantitative skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a highly collaborative team environment

About SERC

SERC is a research unit of the Smithsonian Institution, located on the western shore of Chesapeake Bay, approximately 10 miles south of Annapolis, 40 miles west of Washington D.C., and 40 miles south of Baltimore. The 2,650-acre SERC campus contains a laboratory and office complex, educational facilities, and waterfront facilities. The post-doctoral fellow will be a ‘Trust Employee’ through Smithsonian’s nonprofit wing, entitling them to health, vision, dental, and other benefits.

SERC recognizes the value of diversity in promoting innovative science and creative solutions, and we strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We recognize that each applicant will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to this position. Competitive candidates will have many, but not necessarily all, of the listed qualifications and experiences. In addition,

• The Smithsonian Institution (SI) provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilitieswhere appropriate.
• SI is an Equal Opportunity Employer that believes a workforce composed of a variety of educational,cultural, and experiential backgrounds supports and enhances work life and contributes to the richnessof our programs. For more information on the Smithsonian EEO program please see www.si.edu/oeema.
• Conditions of Employment are: (1) pass a pre-employment background investigation, (2) electronicfunds transfer for salary payment, and (3) eligible to work in the United States (proof of eligibility is notrequired to apply).