"Postdoctoral Research Scholar - Forest Carbon"

Postdoctoral Research Scholar - Forest Carbon Non-Tenure Track

O’NEILL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS INDIANA UNIVERSITY, BLOOMINGTON

We are seeking a highly-motivated postdoctoral fellow to conduct research focused on reducing bias and uncertainty in the measurement and monitoring of forest carbon uptake from local to global scales.

Forests dominate the land carbon sink, and forest-based carbon removal strategies have the potential to confer many benefits for the environment and the bio-economy. However, at scales ranging from individual sites to the entire globe, estimates of forest carbon uptake and storage (FCUS) vary by 50-100% (or more). Our overall objective is to use the best-available science to confront these discrepancies while creating tools that permit seamless integration between project-scale FCUS monitoring and regional to global-scale policy setting.

The postdoctoral research scholar will play a leading role in the synthesis of network observations, including forest inventory data (e.g. from the USDA Forest Inventory and Analysis program) and flux tower data (e.g. from AmeriFlux and FLUXNET networks), and the integration of these ground-based observations with state-of-the-art remote sensing information describing forest structure and function. The position will require computationally intensive data analysis, the preparation and submission of journal articles, and the mentoring of students and technicians working on the project.

The postdoctoral fellow will be supervised by Dr. Kim Novick (O’Neill School) with ample opportunity to work with other IU scientists, academic scientists at other institutions, and partner organizations from the civic and public sector.

Location: Bloomington, Indiana (preferred) with the possibility of a remote arrangement

Basic Qualifications:

The successful application will have earned a Ph.D. in environmental science or engineering, ecology, environmental informatics, or a related field at time of appointment. Other key qualifications include strong written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated experience working within collaborative teams, and experience analyzing ecological time series (e.g. flux tower data) and remote sensing datasets.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references to http://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/30636. To ensure consideration, application materials must be received by November 15, 2025.

Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to: Professor Kim Novick at knovick@iu.edu, O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs, Bloomington, Indiana.