Postdoctoral Researcher

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

4d • $6,790 - $9,234 • Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Division is hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead and coordinate research syntheses using AmeriFlux’s long-term data holdings. Research may focus on water and energy balance, scaling and modeling, land–atmosphere interactions, and plant productivity and carbon fluxes. The researcher will join the AmeriFlux Management Project, which supports a network of more than 700 eddy covariance sites measuring carbon, water, and energy exchanges across the Americas. The position offers an opportunity to advance ecosystem science through large-scale data synthesis, interdisciplinary collaboration, and open science, working with ecosystem scientists, data scientists, software engineers, and an international scientific community. The primary advisor is Housen Chu.

The position is a full-time, two-year postdoctoral appointment, with possible renewal based on satisfactory performance, continued funding, and operational needs. Candidates must have less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience. The anticipated start date is March 1, 2027. Work will be performed primarily at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. The position is union-represented. The monthly salary range is $6,790–$9,234, with the starting salary expected to be $6,790 or above; salary is determined by postdoctoral step rates based on completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience. Applications received by December 23, 2026, receive priority consideration; applications will be accepted until the posting is removed. Employment is subject to a background check.

Requirements

• Recent Ph.D. in ecology, Earth science, environmental science, atmospheric science, data science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience applying statistical, machine learning, or other data-driven methods to analyze large-scale scientific data.
• Experience working with large, complex datasets, such as environmental time series, remote sensing, or model output.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, including the ability to engage with diverse scientific audiences.
• A record of scientific productivity demonstrated through publications or other research outputs.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary, distributed team.
• Less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with flux networks such as AmeriFlux or FLUXNET, or with ecosystem carbon, water, and energy cycles.
• Experience with eddy covariance techniques, measurements, data processing, and analyses.
• Proficiency in Python, R, or similar languages, and experience with reproducible research software practices such as version control and open-source development.
• Experience organizing workshops, seminars, or other scientific community activities.
• Interest in open and team science, data stewardship, and FAIR data principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead research syntheses using long-term AmeriFlux data to advance understanding of ecosystem–atmosphere interactions.
• Coordinate research synthesis activities, including workshops, webinars, working groups, and community events.
• Engage with AmeriFlux researchers and partners to identify research needs and priorities.
• Communicate findings through publications, presentations, reports, newsletters, and web content.
• Contribute to grant proposals and project progress reports.
• Collaborate with Berkeley Lab, FLUXNET, regional flux networks, and related research programs.
• Work with the AmeriFlux data team to develop and test data products, tools, workflows, and research support services.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options.
• 24 days of personal time off per fiscal year, plus sick leave and paid holidays.
• Eight weeks of Postdoctoral Paid Family Leave for qualifying family and parental needs.
• Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association opportunities for networking, social events, professional development, and scientific exchange.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture supporting research career growth and belonging.

What This Job Offers

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