TTU Post Doctoral Rsch Assoc

Texas Tech University • Lubbock, TX

4d

About The Position

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct specialized postdoctoral research in the EcoHealth Lab at Texas Tech University, contributing to a project funded through a consortium agreement with the USGS-funded South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. The project uses plant functional traits, observational data collection, field experiments, and modeling to quantify and predict variation in terrestrial ecosystem processes across precipitation gradients in Texas, with an emphasis on the ecosystem services people rely on.

The successful candidate will use existing plant functional trait datasets from the EcoHealth Lab to develop predictive understanding of how ecological change affects ecosystem processes through impacts on plant traits. Models will be used to explore ecosystem process and service dynamics and assess how adaptive measures may affect them, generating information useful to land managers and other stakeholders. Actionable outcomes include identifying planning, management, and decision-making information needs; communicating findings and tools to natural resource managers; and making measurement data, simulation data, and model code available through open-access databases.

The associate will conduct empirical and modeling research on plant and ecosystem responses and feedbacks across environmental gradients. Specific projects will be tailored to the candidate’s interests and expertise, with freedom to develop relevant research questions. The role includes active participation in the EcoHealth Lab, the Texas Tech Climate Center, and the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, as well as sharing work and collaborating within and beyond these networks.

The position offers access to terrestrial ecology equipment, growth chambers and greenhouse facilities, plant flammability and fuel evaluation equipment, and computational resources through the lab and Texas Tech’s High Performance Computing Center. Project partners include land managers, private landowners, community planners, agricultural producers, community members, and existing networks such as Grower Citizen Scientists, the Texas EcoLab program, and the regional elements of the Nutrient Network. Work is performed under the supervision of graduate faculty members, with evaluation based on assigned objectives and overall project effectiveness. The associate may supervise research and student assistants. All employees are responsible for following robust safety practices and applicable health and safety regulations.

Requirements

• PhD in an area of project specialization.
• Knowledge of modern research practices, including relevant methods, resources, and standards.
• Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives, and exercise independent judgment based on organizational policies and activities.
• Ability to integrate resources, policies, and information to determine procedures, solutions, and other outcomes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with employees and the public.
• Ability to plan and allocate employee workload and provide direct training and supervision as needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct empirical and modeling research on plant and ecosystem responses and feedbacks across environmental gradients.
• Use plant functional trait datasets, observational data, field experiments, and modeling to quantify and predict terrestrial ecosystem processes across precipitation gradients in Texas.
• Develop predictive understanding of how ecological changes affect ecosystem processes through impacts on plant functional traits.
• Use models to explore ecosystem process and service dynamics and evaluate the impacts of adaptive measures.
• Help identify planning, management, and decision-making information gaps and needs, and determine how project collaborators and partners may benefit.
• Communicate findings and tools to natural resource managers and other stakeholders.
• Make measurement data, simulation data, and model code accessible through open-access databases.
• Participate actively in the EcoHealth Lab, the Texas Tech Climate Center, and the South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center.
• Share research and participate in collaborative work within and outside the project networks.
• May supervise research and student assistants, including providing training and workload planning as needed.
• Adhere to robust safety practices and applicable health and safety regulations.

What This Job Offers

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