Career Center

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Energy Geosciences Division has an opening for a Geochemical Field And Modeling Postdoctoral Scholar for Negative Emissions Technologies.

The Energy Geosciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral researcher with a focus on silicate rock amendments for reduced methane emissions and increased carbon storage in rice fields. You will work on conducting lab experiments with rock amendments and applying multicomponent reactive transport modeling to problems related to enhanced weathering. Activities will specifically include collection, analyses and interpretation of various geochemical and hydrological data sets, including analysis of laboratory and field experiments. The overall goal of the project is to develop deployable reduced and negative emissions strategies to improve our climate future.

What You Will Do:

• Plan and conduct large laboratory mesocosm experiments related to soil biogeochemistry and microbial pathways of GHG production and consumption in rice systems.
• Conduct geochemical and microbiologic analyses of various types.
• Work across experimental and modeling teams.
• Aggregate and integrate lab data into numerical models to identify the underlying processes.
• Engage as a member of a large, multidisciplinary research team that includes geochemists, hydrologists, microbiologists and computational scientists.
• Author peer-reviewed journal articles and technical reports.

Present at scientific conferences.

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Develop and apply reactive transport models to improve understanding of enhanced weathering in rice fields.
• Analyze, process and quality control data collected with relevant analytical instruments (e.g. ICP-MS, MC-ICP-MS, SEM/TEM, FTIR) and via discrete sampling.
• Prepare presentations to funding committees and for project reviews.

What is Required:

• Ph.D. in geochemistry, soil science, agronomy, civil or environmental engineering, earth sciences, or hydrology, or equivalent discipline.
• Substantial knowledge and experience in conducting lab and field experiments involving soils and plants.
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to identify and develop new research areas and proposals.
• Ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills and a proven track record of publishing in high-impact journals are also required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Specific experience with rice and rice cropping systems.
• Substantial knowledge and experience in the application of reactive transport models.
• International research exposure.

This position will remain open until filled.

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Notes:

• This is a full-time, 2 years, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
• The monthly salary range for this position is $4,636.00 - $7,887.00 and is expected to start at $6,476.00 or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.

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