Postdoctoral Associate- Stable Isotope Sciences

Stony Brook University • Stony Brook, NY

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Paleobiology, Biogeography and Stable Isotope Ecology Lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolution (E&E) at Stony Brook University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in the area of stable isotope sciences to facilitate research on the NSF CAREER grant, “Unlocking the small-mammal fossil record to investigate eco-evolutionary responses to landscape and climate dynamics: a multi-proxy and cross-scale approach” (Award #2440645). This postdoctoral research associate would join a vibrant team of researchers who integrate interdisciplinary records across spatio-temporal scales to better understand biotic responses to landscape, climate and environmental change. At Stony Brook University, the researcher would further engage with an active and topically diverse community of researchers interested in stable isotopes applied to a range of applications in the Geosciences, Marine Sciences and E&E, as well as opportunities through the Turkana Basin Institute (TBI) at SBU. TBI facilitates research and education in paleontology, archeology and geology in the Turkana Basin of Kenya, one of the world’s most important records of mammalian evolution, including human origins. Applicants with interest and experience in stable isotope geochemistry, mammalian paleontology and terrestrial paleoecology are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate would have strong interpersonal skills, experience generating and analyzing stable isotopic data, intermediate R coding and data management skills. Expertise in isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) for the measurement of stable isotope ratios in bioapatites and/or other biological and geological materials, interests or experience in the development and application of laser heating-based techniques and other technically demanding stable isotope techniques are strongly preferred. The candidate will subscribe to and support our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA), as well as uphold all lab standards and safety protocols.

Requirements

• Doctoral Degree (or foreign equivalent) in ecology and evolution, paleobiology, paleoecology, anthropology, earth sciences, or closely related field in hand by the start of the appointment.
• Excellent English writing and verbal communication skills.
• Established record of high productivity.
• Interest or experience in working as part of a diverse multidisciplinary and multicultural team.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) for the measurement of stable isotope ratios in bioapatites and/or other biological and geological materials.
• Interest or experience in laser heating-based techniques.
• Interest or experience in geochemistry methods development are strongly preferred.
• Interest or experience working with the mammalian fossil record of eastern Africa or western North America using multi-proxy methods are a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience generating and analyzing stable isotopic data.
• Intermediate R coding and data management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects on stable isotope geochemistry of Miocene faunas resulting in peer-reviewed publications.
• Conduct laboratory research in collaboration with PI Dr. Tara Smiley (Dept. of Ecology and Evolution) and Dr. Greg Henkes (Dept. of Geosciences) in the Stable Isotope Laboratory at Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY).
• Apply sample preparation and gas-source isotope ratio mass spectrometry techniques to measure stable isotope ratios in bioapatites.
• Engage in methods development and instrument design, advancing the use and sensitivity of laser-heating IRMS procedures.
• Undertake data analysis, collaborating with PI and other team members, including graduate, undergraduate, and research-in-residency scholars conducting research in geochemistry and paleoecology.
• Participate in training opportunities for students and visiting researchers at Stony Brook University, with the opportunity to help in the design of stable isotope training workshops.
• Attend professional meetings to present collaborative research.
• Participation in grant writing and collaborative papers.
• Participation in field- and museum-based work in western North America or Turkana Basin, Kenya is not required, but available if there is interest.
• Other duties as assigned, which may include attending Scientific Conferences and Meetings.

Benefits

• The Research Foundation of SUNY policies and procedures
• Sponsor guidelines
• Availability of funding
• Total rewards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree