APPLICATION WINDOW
Open date: January 11th 2024

Most recent review date: Fri 16th February 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Fri 15th March 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Postdoctoral Scholar Opportunity at University of California, Davis PI: Dr Alessandro Ossola University of California, Davis Department of Plant Sciences.
The Urban Science Lab in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California Davis is recruiting a 2-year postdoctoral researcher in the areas of urban forestry and climate science. The successful candidate will work within a new project funded by the U.S. Forest Service titled “Evaluating tree cooling performance in California schoolyards”. The postdoctoral scholar will be advised by Dr Alessandro Ossola (https://urbansciencelab.ucdavis.edu/) and work alongside a large group of senior scientists, postdocs, graduate researchers, and undergraduate students, and external project partners at USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station, UCLA, UC Berkley, as well as state and nonprofit partners.
The successful candidate will study how tree resources across selected California’s public K-12 schools can improve the microclimate of learning and play environments, particularly in underserved areas. The postdoctoral scholar will be in charge of conducting microclimatic measurements on selected K-12 school campuses in northern and southern California, and the Central Valley. The postdoc will coordinate the installation of temperature and humidity sensors at selected schools and analyze human thermal comfort and heat mitigation benefits in relation to tree canopy cover and tree species identity in schoolyards. The postdoc will help mentor graduate students in the UCD Environmental Management and Policy Graduate Group assessing policies and management approaches related to schoolyard trees under the guidance of project partners. The postdoc will also support K-12 student engagement around schoolyard trees and science communication activities for pupils, parents and the teachers. Finally the UCD postdoc is expected to work closely with a second postdoc based at UCLA working on social science aspects of schoolyard greening.
It is anticipated that the postdoc will lead a minimum of 2-3 high-impact peer reviewed scientific articles related to the project. In addition, it is expected that the postdoc will mentor graduate, undergraduate students as well as assist the project PIs in organizing outreach activities and preparing products for lay audiences. The postdoctoral scholar will have opportunities to interact with students and faculty members in relevant graduate groups (e.g., Ecology, Geography, Horticulture and Agronomy, Environmental Science and Policy) and collaborate with other postdocs and graduate students. The Urban Science Lab is affiliated to the Climate Adaptation Center (https://climateadaptation.ucdavis.edu/) and the Center for Regional Change (https://regionalchange.ucdavis.edu/), among others, and foster transdisciplinary and co-produced research supported by a vibrant and diverse community of academics and postdocs. The postdoc will be able to deepen skills related to project reporting, budgeting, etc., and if desired, contribute lectures and teaching in urban forestry, climate change and data analytics classes.
We are looking forward to applications from enthusiastic candidates with demonstrated experience and tracked record in the publication of scientific manuscripts, excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills as well as demonstrated leadership, and willingness to work in a collaborative environment. We are especially interested in candidates that will be able to think independently and critically and are willing to grow academically and professionally, complementing skills and interests within the Urban Science Lab and the larger research team.

Core Responsibilities:
A. Install, service, troubleshoot, and decommission climate sensors (e.g., HOBOs, Kestrels), including interacting with school staff and other members of the research team to coordinate installation. B. Analyze and validate urban climate and forestry data, potentially including microclimate simulations and modelling based on skills and interest.
C. Support tree surveys across CA K-12 schoolyards, which will be led other research team members but will require whole-team support.

Additional Responsibilities (based on interest):
D. Mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
E. Led new scholarship in collaboration with the research team.
F. Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, project reports and updates for stakeholders.
G. Present at academic conferences, as well as to partners at state agencies, municipalities, school districts, and individual schools.

Application / How to apply:
To apply, please email Dr Ossola the following documents with “School Climates postdoc application” in the subject line (aossola@ucdavis.edu). Applicants should submit the following:
1. Cover letter (one page): explaining why you are interested in this position and what makes you a good candidate for it.
2. Contributions to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion statement (one page, guidelines available here: https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/guidelines-writing-diversity-statement
3. Curriculum Vitae including full publication list.
4. Names and contact information for 2-3 referees.
Review of applications and candidate interviews will start after 02/17/2024 with a preferred start date of May 2024 (negotiable). The position will remain open until filled.

CONTACT For further information about the position, email any questions to Dr Alessandro Ossola (aossola@ucdavis.edu) with " School Climates postdoc info" in the subject line.

QUALIFICATIONS
Basic qualifications (required at time of employment)
PhD in urban ecology, forestry, environmental and climate science or another relevant field and ideally research experience with urban microclimates, climate sensing, and modelling. Proficiency in data analysis and coding (e.g., R or Python) is required. Experience with microclimate sensors ideally in outdoor environments (e.g., HOBOs, Kestrels) and/or modeling tools (e.g., ENVI-MET) are beneficial for this project.

Preferred qualifications
Preference will be given to applicants with 1) expertise in urban ecology, urban climatology, and allied disciplines; 2) strong communication and organizational skills; 3) ability to lead, design and conduct robust reproducible science; 4) strong publication records; 5) previous experience with research teams that are multi- inter- or transdisciplinary. Our team is committed to DEI values. Applicants from historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Document requirements
• Cover Letter (one page) - Statement explaining why you are interested in this position and what makes you a good candidate for it.
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (one page) - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., including a publication list.
Reference requirements
• 2-3 required (contact information only)

CAMPUS INFORMATION
UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).
We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Appendix F, Section II.C. of the policy for applicable deadlines. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. Due to the nature of the project a car driver license is required and appropriate background checks might be required to work on schoolgrounds.

JOB LOCATION
Davis, CA with travel required across CA.