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Soil Biogeochemist (Assistant Professor level)

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Position description

The Department of Environmental Sciences invites applications for a 9-month tenure track position in Soil Biogeochemistry at the Assistant Professor rank. The position has 25% Instruction and Research and 75% Organized Research in the Agricultural Experiment Station http://ucanr.edu/About_ANR/What_is_ANR/

Research: The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized program in soil biogeochemistry with an emphasis on transformations of nutrients, carbon, trace elements, and contaminants in soils. This individual will have training in both biogeochemistry and soil science to address the processes that underlie the dynamics and fate of major and trace elements in soils. The focus will be on biogeochemical processes that occur over a range of scales, but with an emphasis on the watershed or subwatershed as an experimental unit. A wide range of soil biogeochemical processes affect the water quality and environmental and agricultural sustainability of our region. Examples of potential research questions include feedbacks between climate change and availability and transformations of nutrients within a watershed or ecosystem; trace element dynamics in soils and groundwater; and biogeochemical cycling of contaminants in the soil-water-air continuum. The incumbent is expected to have expertise in the measurement of biogeochemical processes and rates, and the feedback that exists between terrestrial biogeochemistry and surface and groundwater quality. This hire will complement existing faculty in our Department working on watershed processes, water and chemical transport in soils, water quality and protection, and aerosol formation and transport, as well as faculty in related departments working on climate change, ecosystems ecology, and invasive species.

Teaching: The successful candidate is expected to fully engage in the teaching mission of the department and the college, including formal classroom instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and mentoring of baccalaureate, MS, and PhD students in research and the process of knowledge development. This faculty member will be expected to teach introductory soil science and a graduate-level course in her/his specialty, such as soil chemistry or biogeochemistry.

Application: A Ph.D. in soil science or a related discipline with emphasis in soil science and a proven ability to conduct innovative research are required. Applications must include a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching interests, and a list of five professional references. For additional information, please contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. Robert Graham (robert.graham@ucr.edu). Evaluations of applications will begin January 10, 2014, but the position will remain open until filled. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Additional information about Environmental Sciences and the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences can be found at http://envisci.ucr.edu/.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Research

  • Teaching interests

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 5 required (contact information only)