"Postdoctoral Research Associate I (School of Geography, Development & Environment)"

Position Highlights

The SemiArid Lab for Scalable Agrivoltaics (SALSAV), at the University of Arizona, invites you to apply to the role of a post-doctoral researcher to lead work on examining the plant ecophysiological impacts of growing within an agrivoltaics system. For information about the SemiArid Lab (SALSAV), please access the website link: https://salsav.org/.

The option of remote work is not possible.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

The SemiArid Lab for Scalable Agrivoltaics (SALSAV) at the University of Arizona, is looking for a post-doctoral researcher to lead work on examining the plant ecophysiological impacts of growing within an agrivoltaics system. We have agrivoltaics systems characterized by tracking and fixed-tilt solar arrays that are both ground-mounted and elevated, creating an incredible space for quantifying the impacts and potential for crop production under a suite of design types. These sites range in scale from 20m x 20m installations up to more than 3.5 hectares within a working photovoltaic facility. Our lab is outfitted with portable gas exchange systems (LI-6400s and LI-6800s), pressure chambers for assessing plant water potential, and fluorometers. We are looking for someone to utilize these resources, agrivoltaic learning labs, and our interdisciplinary team of staff and students to conduct cutting-edge research on the benefits and challenges associated with growing crops in agrivoltaic systems.

In terms of percentages of time, the post-doctoral researcher will spend approximately 25% of their time in the field (conducting measurements, maintaining research sites, etc.), 35% on data processing (synthesizing field data, assisting with quality control on micrometeorological data for data sharing, etc.), 35% on preparing publications (post-doc led manuscripts, co-authoring with PI and graduate students, plain language summaries for sharing with the public, etc.), and 5% in collaborative meetings with our global consortium of agrivoltaic researchers and practitioners.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have defended their Ph.D. in geography, ecology, ecohydrology, conservation, environmental sciences or related fields, and have a strong record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Experience with leaf, soil, or ecosystem-scale field gas exchange data is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with documented experience conducting agrivoltaics research, working within a convergent research setting, and using spatio-temporal models. Experience working with various stakeholders would also be beneficial.