Two postdoctoral scholar positions and multiple MS or PhD research assistantships are currently available at the University of California, Merced. Details for each position are listed below.

Postdoctoral Scholar - Critical Zone Scientist

Application deadline: September 28, 2018

The Sierra Nevada Research Institute at UC Merced is accepting applications for a postdoctoral research position with the Southern Sierra Critical Zone Observatory (SSCZO). The successful candidate will use and synthesize existing data collected in and around the SSCZO to better understand the geophysical, geochemical, hydrological, and ecological controls on the development and function of the Critical Zone (CZ). The ideal candidate will have a strong publication record in fields related to CZ development along with demonstrated experience in linking geospatial, remotely sensed and in-situ datasets of water, nutrient, soil, vegetation, geochemistry, geophysics, and meteorology. Experience in landscape-scale modeling is also an asset.

Required qualifications include: a Ph.D. in a relevant area (Earth System Science / Hydrology) must be conferred by the start date of the position; experience with data analysis and/or modeling skills as demonstrated per publication record; and excellent written communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

This position will be based at UC Merced, with the option to work with SSCZO investigators at other universities. For further information see /sierra/ or contact any of the SSCZO investigators.

Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) a short research statement and 4) names of at least three professional/academic references with contact information including mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. 

Review of applications will begin immediately; position will remain open until filled. Starting dates are negotiable.

Salary is based on the University of California Academic Salary Scales.

The University of California, Merced is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, staff, and students. The University is supportive of dual career couples.

Click here to apply to the above position.

Postdoctoral Scholar: Sierra Nevada Research Institute, Mountain Hydrology Research Group

Application deadline: October 10, 2018

The Mountain Hydrology Research Group at University of California Merced seeks applications for a full-time postdoctoral scholar research position in measurement and modeling management effects on Sierra Nevada ecohydrology.

Sierra Nevada forests provide more than 60% of California's developed water supply. However, forest conditions in the area are unhealthy and at risk of uncharacteristic, high-severity wildfire due to past management, fire suppression, frequent droughts, warmer temperatures, and a rapidly expanding bark beetle infestation resulting in millions of dead trees. This project aims to advance the pace and scale of forest restoration through credible science and verification tool. A successful candidate will develop a detailed forest-water nexus measurement and simulation model in the American River Basin, near Lake Tahoe. The main goal of the project is to assess the effects of various forest restoration treatments (e.g. control fire, mechanical thinning, mastication) on snowpack evolution, soil moisture, transpiration, streamflow, and tree growth using both measurement and modeling. This position will involve assembling and processing historical remote sensing and forest inventory (e.g. FIA) data to both test and validate numerical models. This position will be located at the UC Merced campus; however, the successful candidate will work closely with other project partners from the Nature Conservancy, US Forest Service, American River Conservancy, and other state and federal agencies. The scholar will meet with stakeholders and water managers, prepare manuscripts and reports based on the research. Some travel and fieldwork in remote locations may be necessary.

Required qualifications:
Ph.D. in hydrology, ecohydrology, natural resources management, water resources engineering or closely related field. Ph.D. must be conferred by the start date of the position. The candidate must have hydrologic and/or ecosystem modeling experience related to forest-water nexus as well as ability to write and understand code- preferably in C++ and Fortran. Experience with fieldwork in remote conditions is also required.

Additional qualifications:
Ability to work independently with guidance from principal investigator and collaborators. Excellent written communication skills; good organizational and interpersonal skills. Ability to work in a team environment and interact with a broad range of colleagues. Experience with backcounty travel to include hiking in the snow or rough terrain.

Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter 2) curriculum vitae and 3) a list of three to five agreed references with contact information including mailing address, phone number and e-mail address; this will be submitted through the Recruit system.

Review of applications will begin immediately. Starting dates are negotiable with the appointment duration of up to three years (renewed annually subject to performance and continued funding).

Salary is based on the University of California Academic Salary Scales.

The University of California, Merced is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, staff, and students. The University is supportive of dual career couples.

Click here to apply to the above position.

Graduate Research Assistantships: Mountain Hydrology Research Group

Application deadline: ongoing recruitment, see UC Merced deadlines

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Drs. Martha Conklin (mconklin@ucmerced.edu), Mohammad Safeeq (msafeeq@ucmerced.edu), and Roger Bales (rbales@ucmerced.edu) for further information related to project or application process.

The Mountain Hydrology Research Group at University of California Merced seeks applications for 2-3 highly qualified applicants who are interested in pursuing an MS or PhD degree in Environmental Systems, in one of three areas:

1) Food–Energy–Water Nexus. The PhD student will engage in developing integrated modeling tools and analysis using systems engineering approach to natural resource management. The prospective student will analyze the nexus between food-energy-water systems, comprised of connected wildland-storage-cropland subsystems in California, and explore how different climate-adaption pathways affect resilience, vulnerability, and sustainability of CA’s highly leveraged rivers.  We are looking for students with hydrology, water resources engineering, system engineering backgrounds for 5-year USDA funded project. Experience in scientific programming, remote sensing, and data analytics are greatly preferred.

2) Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management. The MS or PhD student will engage in developing data and modeling tools to better understand and predict the effects of restoration treatments on forest health, water supply, and carbon. The prospective student will also engage in building partnerships, among different stakeholder groups, for improving drought resiliency and reducing high intensity wildfire risk while enhancing both forest health and water related benefits. We are looking for students with watershed hydrology, water resources engineering, agriculture engineering, and forestry backgrounds for 2-year (possibly longer) USDI funded project. Experience in hydrologic modeling, snow, remote sensing, and data analytics are greatly preferred.