Postdoctoral Fellow – Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science — Penn State Meteorology and Atmospheric Science

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has recently implemented the Climate Smart Commodities program to incentivize landowners to adopt climate smart practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration in agricultural and managed forest ecosystems.  The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Science at Clemson University is partnering with South Carolina State University to implement this program in the state of South Carolina.  The O’Halloran Lab in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation and housed at the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forestry Science will lead the construction and operation of several eddy covariance flux towers to measure the stand scale carbon sequestration of operational Climate Smart Forestry projects in the state. The goal is to measure short term changes in carbon stocks and fluxes in managed forests during the implementation of climate smart practices.  Projects will focus on loblolly pine silviculture, and in partnership with The Longleaf Alliance, longleaf pine restoration. Through partnerships with South Carolina State University and The Center for Heirs Property Preservation this project will address an overarching objective to better reach underserved landowners in the state.

The postdoc will have access to 20 site-years of existing eddy covariance data in managed forests collected by the O’Halloran lab so that analyses and publications can commence immediately.

The postdoc will be advised by Dr. Tom O’Halloran (biometeorologist) and will work as part of the collaborative Climate Smart Commodities team at Clemson University.

The job location is The Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science (BICEFS) in Georgetown, South Carolina.  Remote work may be possible during an initial transition period but the candidate is expected to relocate to South Carolina.

Job duties

• Help design and implement stand scale Measurement, Monitoring Reporting and Verification (MMRV) of operational Climate Smart Forestry projects in South Carolina using traditional forestry methods and eddy covariance tower observations
• Analyze eddy covariance data and publish manuscripts that quantify how Climate Smart Forestry management practices affect carbon sequestration at the stand scale
• Travel to local and regional field sites for data collection
• Publish results in peer reviewed journals
• Develop project reports
• Assist with supervising and mentoring the Climate Smart Forestry MMRV team

Minimum requirements

• Ph.D. (or equivalent) in forest science, ecology, environmental science or engineering, micrometeorology or closely related earth or environmental science, agricultural science or engineering field.
• Experience analyzing and publishing eddy covariance data
• Ability to program and analyze data in MATLAB, R, Python or similar
• Demonstrated publishing record in high quality peer reviewed journals
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a collaborative team and communicate effectively
• Strong interest in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in science

Preferred Requirements

• Experience working with eddy covariance data in forests
• Experience with flux footprint modeling
• Working knowledge of forestry and forest management practices in the southeast U.S.
• Strong desire to become a leader in the emerging field of Climate Smart Forestry

Physical Requirements

The ability to lift at least 30 pounds and walk in uneven terrain is required. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement