Postdoctoral Fellow, Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change Science, Spring/Summer 2025

Description

The O’Connell Research Group in the Schmid College of Science and Technology of Chapman University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position in Ecosystem Ecology and Global Change Science.  The assignment may begin as early as May 15, 2025.

This postdoctoral position is available immediately for one individual to join Dr. O’Connell’s research group to investigate the ecological impacts of global change, with a focus on biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem science in wet tropical forests. The position offers the opportunity to collaborate with an NSF long-term ecological research (LTER) location (Puerto Rico’s Luquillo LTER) and data synthesis work on biogeochemistry data from drought, warming and/or hurricane experiments carried out in the Luquillo LTER.

Chapman University is a nationally ranked, R2 Carnegie Classified, private institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. Chapman’s campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 50 states, 3 territories, and 78 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman offer 65 bachelors, 53 master, and 6 doctoral programs, along with 60 minors and 17 integrated and bridge programs. Dedicated to forward-looking, personalized education, we create an environment for unlimited achievement by both our students and faculty.

The University is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment. More information on diversity and inclusion at Chapman University is available at https://www.chapman.edu/diversity.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a passionate individual eager to broaden their expertise in ecosystem ecology, global change science, and data synthesis. The postdoctoral researcher in this role will have the opportunity to:

• Support the synthesis and publication of biogeochemistry data from drought, warming, and/or hurricane experiments conducted at the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in Puerto Rico.
• Couple remote sensing data with plot-level ecosystem measurements to evaluate the implications of global change on ecosystem properties and function.
• Apply time series and forecasting models to assess the effects of global change on carbon and nitrogen cycling, with a focus on understanding shifts in variability and resilience.
• Contribute to or lead perspective pieces focused on community-connected efforts within ecology and environmental sciences, aligning with ongoing lab and institutional initiatives.
• Mentor undergraduate researchers, engage in professional development activities, and participate in grant writing and teaching if desired.

The postdoctoral researcher will conduct independent research and/or collaborate with ongoing lab projects, provide guidance and support to undergraduate students associated with the related projects, and document research activities and publish key findings in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals. We are especially interested in candidates who thrive in collaborative environments and value inclusive mentorship.

Qualifications

• A PhD awarded in the last five years in an appropriate field, with preference given to candidates with a degree in ecology, environmental science, earth science, soil science, biogeochemistry or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in ecosystem science data analysis, biogeochemical research, remote sensing applications, and/or time series modeling.
• Skills in R, Python, or other relevant programming languages for ecological data analysis and modeling.

Preferred qualifications include an ability to work both collaboratively and autonomously, mentoring students of various levels as well as experience working with long-term ecological datasets or involvement with LTER programs.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit the following documents via Interfolio:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for 3 references (reference letters not required at the time of application)

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.  Please address any questions to Dr. Christine Sierra O’Connell (coconn@chapman.edu).

This assignment is set to begin on May 15, 2025. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate. This position is subject to final budget approval. The salary for this Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is $69,000. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic glo