Assistant Research Professor of Forest Biogeosciences School of Natural Resources College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources University of Missouri
Position: The School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, is seeking an Assistant Research Professor to develop an internationally recognized research program in Forest Biogeosciences. The successful candidate will oversee operations of the Missouri Ozark AmeriFlux (MOFLUX) site, a long-term, core site within the AmeriFlux network, supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research (BER), and develop innovative, externally funded, research tasks that complement on-going MOFLUX research activities. A core aspect of the program will include collaborations with scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Starting Date: January 11, 2016 Responsibilities: This is a 12-month, full-time, ranked, non-tenure track research faculty appointment with 100% research responsibilities. Salary commensurate with experience. The successful candidate will serve as the University of Missouri Principal Investigator for the MOFLUX project, part of the ORNL’s Terrestrial Ecosystem Science (TES) Scientific Focus Area (SFA) (http://tes-sfa.ornl.gov/), supported by DOE BER and be responsible for the daily operation of the MOFLUX site. He/she will leverage the MOFLUX project to develop an externally funded and internationally recognized program in Forest Biogeosciences focused on deciduous forests of the Central Hardwood Region of the United States. The MOFLUX site, which has been in operation since 2004, is located at the University of Missouri’s Baskett Wildlife Research and Education Center (BWREC) near Ashland, Missouri, about 32 km southeast of the main campus in Columbia. This site is characterized by extremely high levels of biogenic isoprene emission. It also has the longest known continuous observation of tree mortality and predawn leaf water potential of multiple species. The site is located in a key ecotone between the Eastern Deciduous Forest and Prairie regions and is subject to large inter-annual variation in summer precipitation and drought intensity. It offers particular advantage to scientists with an interest in water stress limitations, plant productivity and drought influences on other plant processes. Hence, expertise in plant water relations or a related field is desirable. The main research assets of the MOFLUX site include the following: * A 30 m walk-up stairway tower instrumented with two independent sets of eddy covariance system, a 12-level CO2/H2O profile monitoring system, a 8-level temperature/humidity profile monitoring system, and an incoming and outgoing visible, shortwave and longwave radiation measurement system. * A 16-automated chamber system for monitoring soil respiration * A Minirhizotron imaging system for fine root dynamics * A soil temperature / moisture profile monitoring system * An automated daily data quality checking and reporting system * Other meteorological, biological and physiological measurements * Long-term permanent plot vegetation measurements available for the BWREC. Depending on his/her interests, the successful candidate will have opportunities to interact with ORNL scientists involved in SPRUCE (http://mnspruce.ornl.gov/), NGEE-Tropics http://esd1.lbl.gov/research/projects/ngee_tropics/, and NGEE-Arctic (http://ngee-arctic.ornl.gov/), and University of Missouri researchers. Qualifications: A Ph.D. in a relevant discipline is required. The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in eddy flux theory and applications, gas analyzers, datalogging and communications. Desirable areas of candidate research expertise include tree physiology, whole-plant carbon partitioning, carbon cycle modeling, plant water relations, and drought stress physiology. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated success in obtaining extramural research funding, publishing in leading peer-reviewed journals, and participation in interdisciplinary collaborations. A proven ability to effectively communicate with professional colleagues is essential. About MU: MU, the flagship institution in the University of Missouri System, has nearly 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is a land grant institution and a member of the Association of American Universities. Located midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is a vibrant university town that is consistently ranked among the top small cities to live in America. The School of Natural Resources awards B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Natural Resources with emphasis in multiple sub-disciplines. Detailed information about the programs and faculty is available at http://snr.missouri.edu. The School operates many laboratory and greenhouse facilities and has access to extensive field areas available within the College of Agriculture’s Farms and Centers Network (http://cafnr.missouri.edu/research/aes.php and which includes the BREA). Application: To apply for this position, please visit the MU web site at http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic/. Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, narratives of research interests and the names and contact information of three references. Review of applications will begin on November 20, 2015 and will continue until the position is filled. For additional information about the position, please contact Dr. Shibu Jose, Search Committee Chair at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Benefit Eligibility: This position is eligible for University benefits. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits. Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Missouri is an equal access, equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that is fully committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. For more information, call the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resource Services/Affirmative Action officer at 573-882-4256. The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence. To request ADA accommodations, please call Human Resource Services at 573-882-7976. TTY users, please call through Relay Missouri, 1-800-RELAY (735-2966) or en Español at 1-800-520-7309. MU makes available to applicants a security report of crimes that occurred on campus over the previous three years. For a copy of this report, contact the University Police Department at (573) 882-5923 or access their web site at: http://www.mupolice.com/.
