Post Doctoral Research Associate - Soil Weathering, PNNL - Richland, WA, USA

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Job Title: Post Doctoral Research Associate - Soil Weathering
Location: PNNL - Richland, WA
Job ID: 302944

Directorate: Energy and Environment
Division: Earth Systems Science
Group: Geosciences

Job Description
Climate change projected to occur this century [i.e., high atmospheric CO2 concentrations (of 400 ppm or greater); increasing air temperatures (2-4 0C or greater); intensive rainfall and/or heavy storms; extended periods of drought; extreme frost; significant and/or abrupt changes in the daily, seasonal and inter-annual temperature cycles; heat-waves and increased fire frequency] will significantly impact soils. In particular, climate change variables may affect the extent and rate of the weathering of soil minerals and organic matter and perturb the C cycle in soils via carbonate mineral precipitation and organic matter transformations. In addition, they may affect microbial and plant productivity, interactions of soil particles with soil organic matter, soil aggregate formation and stability, and release of elements and/or potential contaminants to surface and groundwater.

The Geosciences Group at PNNL is seeking a highly motivated individual with a strong commitment to both scientific excellence and national impact on critical scientific and technical problems facing the United States. The Post-Doctoral Fellow should have a background in soil chemistry/mineralogy, soil physics, geochemistry, or environmental microbiology. The candidate is expected to design and conduct laboratory experiments at different scales that involve controlled manipulations of climate variables to elucidate mechanisms and measure rates of soil mineral and organic matter weathering and determine the extent and rates of relevant reactions, processes, interactions and feedbacks that control C and elemental cycling at different temporal and spatial scales. The candidate is also expected to use an iterative approach of modeling and experimentation to test the hypotheses and determine predictive model parameters. Specifically, the candidate will conduct batch and/or hydraulically saturated and unsaturated column experiments with soil and subsoil materials to determine changes in sediment chemical, mineralogical and physical properties and estimate the extent and rate of geochemical, microbiological, and hydrological reactions and processes that are predominant under these conditions.

We are seeking a highly motivated experimentalist with expertise and demonstrated strong data interpretation skills. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential and the candidate should maintain a regular publication record. Authoritative experience with some of the bulk and surface solid phase (XRD, µ-XRD, SEM-EDS, SEM-FIB, TEM-SAED, EMPA, XRF, EXAFS and XANES) and aqueous solution (ICP-OES, ICP-MS, IC) characterization techniques is also required.

The successful candidate will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, and will have access to state-of-the-art research equipment within several laboratories at PNNL, including the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL). The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to and develop proposals for future research funding. Applicants must be willing to learn and employ safe techniques for handling hazardous materials. Candidates must be able to work with colleagues in a laboratory environment on the implementation of experimental procedures.

Minimum Requirements
Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years from an accredited college or university. All staff at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States.

Qualifications
A Ph.D. in Soil Chemistry/Mineralogy, Soil Physics, Experimental Geochemistry, Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Sciences, Engineering (Civil, Chemical, or Environmental), or related field is required. Candidates must receive their Ph.D. within the next three months or have received a Ph.D. degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 within the past 5 years. The incumbent must have experience working in a wet-chemistry laboratory around potentially hazardous acids, bases, and materials. Candidates are expected to be proficient with standard office software, such as Microsoft Excel and Word. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are also required, and must be demonstrated via a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States.

Closing Statement
While internal candidates are required to complete the Pre-Screening questions included in the application process, they do NOT need to resubmit information regarding eligibility to work in the United States. Likewise, internal candidates do NOT need to complete an additional background check except in those situations where a Security Clearance is required and the staff member does not have a Security Clearance.