Job Description

Position Description

The Environmental Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory seeks a postdoctoral researcher to join a project that is aimed at improving model representations of the response of soil organic matter to changing environmental conditions in the permafrost region. 

In this role you will:

• Design, conduct, and analyze manipulative laboratory studies to investigate the effects of key biophysical controllers on the decomposition dynamics of organic matter in permafrost-affected soils.
• Team with soil scientists, biogeochemists, and computational scientists to analyze and use the generated experimental response data to constrain/improve model representations of permafrost-region soil organic matter dynamics.
• Coordinate data analysis and archiving activities, present results at scientific meetings, and prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication.
• Model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Position Requirements

Required skills:

• Knowledge of soils, including physicochemical and biotic factors affecting soil organic matter dynamics.
• Experience and/or interest in changing cold-region environments and designing innovative laboratory manipulative studies to simulate the effects of these changes on microbial decomposition of soil organic matter.
• Experience with relevant instrumentation and methodologies, such as incubation chambers; CO₂, O₂, and/or CH₄ sensors; elemental analyzers; and spectrometers.
• Experience working with large datasets and strong data analysis skills, including the application of multivariate statistical modeling and/or machine learning techniques.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate the activities of technical support personnel and undergraduate interns.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• A recent Ph.D. in terrestrial biogeochemistry, soil science, ecosystem science, ecology, ecohydrology, or a related field.

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

Argonne is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity in our workforce. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne prohibits discrimination or harassment based on an individual's age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.