Special Information

• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.
• Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver’s license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the NAU website.
• This position requires the ability and willingness to conduct remote summer fieldwork in Interior Alaska each year.

About the Department/College

The Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (ECOSS) at Northern Arizona University studies how ecosystems respond to and shape environmental change and works to communicate those discoveries to local and global communities. ECOSS integrates expertise in ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, environmental change, wildfire science, and remote sensing to address pressing Earth system questions. It fosters close collaboration and mentoring and partners with local, national, and international organizations to translate research into real-world environmental solutions.

About the Position

Northern Arizona University (NAU) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar in ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, or a closely related field to work on a newly funded, multi-year research project examining the impacts of wildfire and fuel treatments on carbon dynamics in black spruce forests of Interior Alaska. The position is based in Flagstaff, Arizona, with required summer fieldwork in Alaska each year.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will join a highly collaborative research team within the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (ECOSS) at NAU and will work closely with Dr. Michelle Mack, Dr. Xanthe Walker, and Dr. Ted Schuur. The project integrates field-based measurements, soil biogeochemistry, radiocarbon dating, and quantitative modeling to estimate soil carbon turnover, fluxes, and long-term stability following wildfire and fuel treatments. The Postdoctoral Scholar will play a central role in designing and conducting field research, analyzing and synthesizing complex datasets, and leading peer-reviewed publications.

This is a full-time postdoctoral appointment for 3–4 years, contingent on performance and continued funding, with an anticipated start date in May 2026.

Responsibilities Include

65% - Research and Publications

• Lead and contribute to field-based research in Interior Alaska, including soil sampling, site re-measurement, and experimental implementation of fuel breaks.
• Analyze and synthesize ecological, biogeochemical, and isotopic datasets to quantify changes in soil carbon pools and turnover.
• Apply radiocarbon (¹⁴C) and isotope-based approaches to estimate soil carbon age, turnover, and fluxes.
• Develop and apply statistical models.
• Lead and co-author peer-reviewed publications and present results at scientific conferences and stakeholder workshops.
• Participate in lab meetings, project meetings, and interdisciplinary scientific discussions.

20%- Data Management and Analysis

• Curate, manage, and analyze large, multi-source datasets.
• Develop reproducible analysis workflows using R or similar programming languages and document code using version control (e.g., GitHub).
• Produce publication-quality figures and data products.

5% - Grant and Project Support

• Assist with project coordination, reporting requirements, and collaboration with federal and state partners as needed.

5% - Academic and Lab Citizenship

• Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful research environment.
• Assist with general lab activities related to project goals.

5% - Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Ecology, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Forestry, Earth Science, or a closely related discipline by the start date.

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with wildfire ecology.
• Experience with radiocarbon (¹⁴C) or stable isotope analyses.
• Laboratory and field experience collecting, processing, and analyzing soil and vegetation samples.
• Record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Experience working in collaborative, interdisciplinary research teams.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative data analysis (e.g., R or similar programming languages).

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Wildfire ecology and ecosystem science.
• Field- and laboratory-based research approaches.
• Data analysis and interpretation in scientific research.
• Best practices for data management and reproducible research.

Skills

• Effective organization, documentation, and management of research activities.
• Analyze, interpret, and synthesize scientific information.
• Strong written and oral communication for scientific and professional audiences.
• Collaboration and teamwork in interdisciplinary research environments.
• Time management and prioritization across multiple responsibilities.

Abilities

• Highly motivated to perform research in a collaborative environment.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Communicates effectively.
• Possesses strong problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.

Compensation

Budgeted salary is $58,882 to $73,434. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.