Postdoctoral Research Associate in Plant Ecophysiology

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A postdoctoral position examining plant physiological responses to environmental variability is available in the lab of Dr. Nick Smith in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL).

The Smith Ecophysiology Lab examines the responses of plants and ecosystems to change in abiotic conditions and the resulting feedbacks from these responses to global change. The successful applicant will join a vibrant group of researchers in the lab, which is housed within the Beadle Center at UNL. The postdoc will work closely with an international group of collaborators focused on improving understanding and predictability of plant physiological processes and their feedbacks to ecosystem processes under global change.

The postdoctoral research associate will be given freedom to explore questions and develop projects pertinent to their interests and experiences. These should overlap with one or more of the following ongoing themes in the lab:

• Plant physiological acclimation to global change
• Development of quantitative plant ecophysiological theory
• The impact of belowground resource availability on plant physiological processes
• Scaling from leaves to the globe
• Interactions between plants and microbial symbionts and the impact on physiology
• Species and functional type specific responses to global change
• Land surface and Earth system modeling
• Plant resource uptake and use optimization

Within the lab and at UNL, the postdoc will have access to state-of-the-art ecophysiological equipment, growth chamber and greenhouse facilities, as well as computational facilities both within the lab and through the University’s High Performance Computing Center. The Smith Ecophysiology Lab is also part of the Nutrient Network.

The successful candidate will carry out empirical and modeling research examining plant physiological responses and feedbacks to environmental variability. The specific projects will be tailored to the individual’s interests and expertise. The position will also involve mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students in the lab.

• Ph.D. by the start date. 
• Expertise in plant physiology, physiological ecology, global change biology, ecological modeling, or related field.

• Experience carrying out manipulation experiments examining plant physiological responses.
• Strong quantitative skills.
• Ability to start by or before January 1, 2027. However, later start dates may be possible.

Click “Apply for this Job” and complete the Faculty Academic/Administrative Information form. Attach the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae.
2. A 1-2 page description of your research accomplishments and future goals. Attach as “Other Document.”
3. The names and contact information of three referees.

Brooke Crawley, [email protected]