The Niwot Ridge Long-Term Ecological Research Program (LTER) is seeking a postdoctoral
scientist with expertise in the aquatic sciences for a two-year position at the University of
Colorado, Boulder. This position offers a unique opportunity to integrate long-term field data,
experimental manipulations, and advanced analytical techniques to understand how mountain
lake ecosystems and their biological communities – including interactions between zooplankton
and phytoplankton – are responding to environmental changes in climate, nitrogen deposition,
and disturbance. A successful candidate for this position should have experience in aquatic
biology and/or community ecology, preferably with a background in montane or alpine
environments. The position requires a Ph.D. in a field related to the aquatic sciences as well as
demonstrated prior experience in analyzing complex ecological problems. Applicants are
expected to have advanced quantitative skills in ecological analyses, demonstrated experience
in developing scientific publications from complex ecological problems, an ability to work both
independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary scientific team.
The Niwot Ridge LTER is home to one of the longest observational records of alpine ecology in
the world. The aquatic science record includes phytoplankton and zooplankton composition,
lake and stream primary production, surrounding snow depth and ice-cover, stream and lake
water chemistry, as well as many concurrent terrestrial observations. Recently, the LTER has
added an array of automated sensors to measure key biophysical factors in an instrumented
catchment and increased sensor-based lake measures, and are intent using these tools to
better understand aquatic ecosystems. The LTER is developing experimental techniques to
effectively test how aquatic communities change in response to climate shift scenarios. The
successful candidate will thus have a valuable opportunity to develop and test hypotheses
synthesizing and/or build from existing datasets, working alongside a multi-disciplinary team of
researchers to design and implement additional field studies, and writing integrative and
innovative manuscripts.
Applicants should submit their materials directly through the CU Careers website (JOB 14582).
Any questions can be directed to Dr. Pieter Johnson (pieter.johnson@colorado.edu). Salary is
$52K annually with benefits. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the
position is filled. The start date is negotiable. See direct link here:
https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Post-Doctoral-Associate/14582
