Add

Postdoctoral Fellow, Cryosphere and Climate Science

Salary / Benefits: Salaries are competitive and commensurate with qualifications, with continued appointment (for up to a maximum of three years) being dependent upon performance and availability of funding. DRI offers an excellent benefits package that includes medical, health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, 6.2% matching retirement by DRI, retirement options through TIAA-CREF, Valic, and/or Fidelity, paid annual and sick leave, 11 paid holidays, tuition reduction at NSHE institutions for employee and dependents. Additionally, there is no state income tax and no social security deduction.

Job Summary / Basic Function: The Division of Hydrologic Sciences of the Desert Research Institute (DRI) is seeking a post-doctoral fellow to conduct ice core, snow, and atmospheric research in its Reno facility. The research involves NSF-funded projects in the Arctic and Antarctic that are related to documenting and understanding natural and anthropogenic changes in climate and climate forcing during recent years, decades, centuries, and millennia. The successful candidate will be expected to assist (and in some cases take the lead) in developing and applying new laboratory methods for analyses of snow and ice cores and to participate fully in data analysis and in the interpretation and publication of the results. DRI maintains a unique laboratory for trace and ultra-trace chemistry measurements. This research is highly interdisciplinary and the successful candidate will bring skills that will include expertise and interest in chemistry, global climate change, hydrology, and/or atmospheric science. In addition to research duties, the candidate will also have the opportunity to participate in grant writing and proposal development activities. The research mostly will be based in Reno although personnel exchanges with collaborating partner laboratories in the U.S. and abroad are anticipated. Some field work also may be required.

DRI is a research campus within the Nevada System of Higher Education, and has close ties with the University of Nevada, Reno, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The position will be based in Reno, NV, population 378,000, situated in northwestern Nevada at the base of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, 25 minutes from Lake Tahoe. Reno boasts 300+ days of sunshine and offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor activities ranging from mountain biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, whitewater paddling, and golfing in the summer and fall to alpine skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Required Qualifications: Ph.D. in hydrology, atmospheric or environmental science, or a related field (completed by December 2010)

Excellent English-language communication skills (oral and written)

Ability to define and conduct high-quality research as part of an interdisciplinary, international research group

Demonstrated organizational skills

Demonstrated ability to perform research and publish results in peer-reviewed literature

Ability to pass the physical exam required by NSF for Antarctic and Arctic field work

Preferred Qualifications: Field and/or laboratory research experience in snow, ice, and/or atmospheric chemical measurements

Experience with continuous flow analysis systems and/or ICPMS

Background in GCM and other atmospheric, hydrologic, or related modeling

Strong analytical chemistry background

Experience in writing successful grant applications

Demonstrated interest in global-scale environmental issues


CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Ability to travel nationally and internationally for extended periods of time.

Occasional field work may be required in remote Arctic regions with temperatures as low as -20 F. Extensive work in cold room laboratory (0 F) will also be required.

The individual who is offered and accepts this position must provide, within 30 working days of his/her start date of the position, a copy of the transcript(s) of the highest degree he/she acquired, as awarded by an accredited institute as recognized by the United States Department of Education and/or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Posting Date: 07-28-2010
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants: The following materials will be required to attach when you apply on-line:
1. a cover letter detailing how you meet DRI's listed educational and experience qualifications
2. a summary of your career interests and goals
3. a current resume, and
4. names and contact information for three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Questions should be addressed to Dr. Joe McConnell (775-673-7348, joe.mcconnell@dri.edu). To learn more about DRI, visit us at www.dri.edu or call 775-673-7332.