Post-Doctoral Associate

Post-Doctoral Associate (9546)
Department of Forest Resources

Location
Primary location will be St. Paul Campus and the employee is expected to live in Minnesota. Remote work will occur at places such as Cloquet Forestry Center and other sites where prescribed burns are planned, with the site list to be determined by the employee in consultation with Drs. Frelich and Yoo. Remote work would consist of deploying the device (under development by Drs. Frelich and Yoo and engineers at UMN Saint Anthony Falls Lab) that measures the effects of prescribed burns on the forest floor and soil at field sites where prescribed burns are being implemented. Field work would occur during the prescribed burning season in (spring, summer and fall) of 2026 and 2027. Virtual/flexible work may consist of tasks such as data analysis and manuscript writing that are easily done from home or other locations.

• 70% St.Paul Campus
• 15% Remote work at field/research sites
• 15% virtual/flexible

Job Duties
We are hiring a postdoc for a Minnesota state-funded project to improve our understanding of forest duff layer burning and its impacts on soils. The postdoctoral researcher will work with Dr. Lee Frelich in the Department of Forest Resources and Dr. Kyungsoo Yoo in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate in the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to conduct field research, laboratory soil characterization, data analyses, writing up the results for reports and peer-reviewed publications. The initial appointment is for a year, and the position is available for a total 27 months, pending annual performance evaluation. The starting salary will be $65,000. For more information, contact Lee Frelich (freli001@umn.edu) or Kyungsoo Yoo (kyoo@umn.edu).

• (40%) Participation in the design, implementation and evaluation of research.
• (15%) Develop experimental procedures.
• (15%) Collect and analyze data.
• (10%) Participate in preparing and presenting data to study investigators.
• (15%) Author or co-author, or otherwise collaborate on reports, conference papers, and publications.
• (5%) As scholars in advanced training status, Post-Doctoral Associates devote five percent of their effort to pursue professional and career development opportunities (e.g., seminars, workshops) outside the scope of their assigned research and teaching responsibilities. The nature and content of professional and career development opportunities is at the discretion of the Post-Doctoral Associate.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in relevant fields such as soil science, forest science, and ecology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a varied mix of internal and external partners from diverse communities and cultures using tact, diplomacy, initiative, and sound judgement.
• Comfortable with outdoor research.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A record of writing and publication of peer-reviewed journals articles.

Pay Range: $65,000 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Applications must include the following: (1) detailed CV/resume that details how the applicant meets each of the required and preferred qualifications of the position; (2) cover letter that describes the applicant's interest in the position (1 page).

In instances where the Search Committee is unable to ascertain from a candidate's application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).