Original Posting: https://mars.franklin.uga.edu/sites/default/files/users/user516/GCE%20V%20variability%20postdoc%20Spivak%202025.pdf
How does the inherent variability of coastal environments affect processes underpinning wetland ecosystem functioning? The Spivak Coastal Biogeochemistry Lab seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate how fluctuating abiotic gradients affect coupled ecological and biogeochemical processes in coastal wetlands. More specifically, how do ecosystem processes change across abiotic gradients and does variability increase near habitat transitions. The Researcher will lead field experiments in the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems Long-Term Ecological Research (GCE-LTER) domain and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of population, community, and microbial ecologists and hydrologists, among others. Complementary lab experiments will be used to understand fine-scale mechanisms controlling carbon cycling and fate.
Responsibilities:
- Lead field and lab experiments based on abiotic gradients in GCE-LTER wetlands.
- Use multiple, complementary ecological and geochemical approaches.
- Lead data analysis, manuscript preparation, and publication.
- Present results at relevant conferences and project meetings.
- Mentor junior students and lab members.
Qualifications and experience
- Ph.D. in Geoscience, Marine Science, Environmental Science, or related field.
- Knowledge of wetland biogeochemistry and ecology.
- Experience with organic and inorganic soil and porewater analyses and greenhouse gas analyzers.
- Experience conducting field work in wetlands and ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Experience analyzing and visualizing data in R and / or Matlab.
- Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated record of publication in scientific journals.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision and provide supervision and mentorship to others.
This position reports to Dr. Amanda Spivak in the Marine Sciences Department on UGA’s Athens campus. The appointment is for one year, with the option for renewal upon satisfactory performance. This full-time position offers salary and employee benefits in accordance with UGA policy. Applicants must submit a cover letter describing their expertise and interests, CV, one publication exemplifying their research, and contact information for three references. Letters of reference will be requested as needed. Review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with the candidate starting during Spring or Summer 2025. Address inquiries and applications to Dr. Spivak at aspivak[at]uga.edu.
The Marine Sciences Department (https://www.marsci.uga.edu/) is within UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. UGA has unique analytical facilities, including the Center for Applied Isotope Studies (https://cais.uga.edu/), Georgia Genomics and Bioinformatics Core (https://dna.uga.edu/), and the Complex Carbohydrates Research Center (https://www.ccrc.uga.edu/) which houses a state-of-the-art NMR facility. UGA provides professional development and networking opportunities through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (https://postdocs.uga.edu/). The Spivak Lab is committed to supporting and sustaining a collaborative work and learning environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, religion, age, or protected veteran status.
