The Jornada Experimental Range is seeking applicants for a postdoctoral position with a focus on modeling impacts of drought and land cover change on dust emissions from the western US, and contributing to development of an integrated modeling framework to explore linkages between dust emissions and dust deposition on snow and water resources in the Colorado River Basin (CRB). The incumbent’s research will integrate new remote sensing-derived soil properties and drag partition into the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) dust emission scheme and Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem). The research will explore how climate variability and land cover change resulting from different land uses are influencing the magnitude, spatial patterns and timing of dust emissions, dust transport, and dust deposition on snowpack in the CRB. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with project team members at USGS (Drs. Travis Nauman and Mike Duniway), University of Utah (Dr. McKenzie Skiles), Duke University (Dr. Nathaniel Chaney), and US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (Ms. Sandra LeGrand), linking dust deposition to snowmelt runoff and CRB hydrology.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in atmospheric sciences or related physical/chemical, environmental sciences.
- Experience in atmospheric modeling and statistical analysis.
- Strong coding and mathematical skills.
- Knowledge of land-use land-cover change datasets.
- Experience with gridded datasets for Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models.
- Ability to collaborate with colleagues and advisors at multiple institutions. While this position is located at JER, it will involve close collaboration with researchers at USGS, University of Utah, Duke University, ERDC.
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills.
- Record of timely publications.
Preferred Qualifications
We seek a highly collaborative postdoctoral scholar with research experience in dust emission and transport modeling. Successful applicants should be highly motivated and creative. They should be willing to work independently and as a part of a diverse and multi-disciplinary team. Experience working with the WRF model is desirable.
Appointment
This is a full-time, 3 year, postdoctoral appointment based at the Jornada Experimental Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. The anticipated start date is negotiable (preferred first quarter of 2021). The Jornada Experimental Range is a USDA-ARS laboratory located on the New Mexico State University (NMSU) campus. The incumbent would therefore be expected to work closely with both NMSU and USDA employees.
New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, NMSU does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation or protected veteran status in its program or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs.
To Apply
Interested individuals should submit a cover letter outlining your experience and research interests with respect to the requisite qualifications, a current CV, and the names and contact information of three references. Letters of reference may be requested of finalists. Please send questions about the position and applications to Dr. Nicholas Webb (nwebb@nmsu.edu), Jornada Experimental Range, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM.
