USDA Forest Service - Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forest Watershed Resources
Research Project: The quantity and quality of water delivered by forest watersheds are influenced by forest management and natural processes, including extreme meteorological events. Over long timescales, water quantity (yield) reflects the balance between precipitation and evapotranspiration, the latter being strongly controlled by the amount, type, and growth of above-ground biomass (i.e., carbon stocks). Recent catastrophic flooding in the Southern Appalachian’s associated with Hurricane Helene highlights the need to better understand how interactions between management, forest disturbance, and precipitation patterns influence the ability of forests to attenuate flooding in mountainous landscapes.
This research fellowship will use long-term (since 1934) experimental data (meteorology, streamflow, stream chemical exports, forest composition) at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory to assess trends and variability in water yield and chemistry as affected by multiple underlying drivers. Analyses will consider watersheds throughout the Coweeta basin including a range of historical and recent treatments and their paired reference watershed. There will be significant flexibility for the fellow, in collaboration with the mentor and other project members, to refine the focus of these activities based on the knowledge base, skill sets, and interest of the participant.
The fellowship will be located at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in Otto, NC in the beautiful southern Appalachians of western North Carolina. Coweeta is the longest-running experimental forest in the Nation, including continuous climate and streamflow records extending back to the 1930s.
To learn more and apply, please see the Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forest Watershed Resources job posting.
Application Deadline: April 24th, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Postdoctoral Researchers
The JPL-led Observational Products for End-Users from Remote Sensing Analysis (OPERA) project is seeking two postdocs to conduct research on landslides and vertical land motion (or related surface deformation phenomena) across North America using satellite radar remote sensing data.
The selected candidates will perform original research using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data and OPERA-derived products to better understand surface deformation processes and their applications for hazard monitoring and response. The postdocs will contribute to advancing scientific methodologies while supporting the development of actionable Earth observation products for stakeholders.
For more information and to apply, please see the job posting: https://citjpl.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Jobs/job/JPL-Campus/Postdoc--Radar-Remote-Sensing-of-Landslides-and-Vertical-Land-Motion--OPERA-Project--1_R5487
William & Mary - Postdoctoral Position
The Environment & Sustainability Program at William & Mary, a public university of the Commonwealth of Virginia, seeks applications for a two-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow position that will begin August 10, 2026. The Mellon Environmental Postdoctoral Scholars (MEPS) program supports teaching, research, and advising in the Environment & Sustainability (ENSP) program.
We seek an individual with expertise in both field and computational methods to examine ecosystems. In this appointment, the postdoc will have substantial amounts of time to focus on their own research agenda. In addition, the postdoc will work with faculty mentors on a project on landscape disturbance and ecohydrology function. The successful applicant will also be required to organize ENSP 250, a 1-credit lecture series, in the Spring semester of their first year and design and teach a new 4-credit natural science with field lab course of their choosing in both the Fall and Spring semesters of their second year, and oversee a 1-credit discussion section of ENSP 250 in the Spring of their second year.
For more information about the position and to apply, please see the job listing: https://williammary.wd12.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WM/job/Mellon-Postdoctoral-Research-Fellow-of-Environment---Sustainability_JR101311
Review of applications will begin March 7th, 2026 and the application will remain open until April 7th, 2026.
University of Alaska Fairbanks - Field Engineer, Alaska Earthquake Center
The Alaska Earthquake Center is hiring a Field Engineer to join the efforts of our team and contribute to our mission of strengthening Alaska’s resilience to earthquakes and tsunamis through monitoring, research and public engagement. We seek an individual with the ability to manage a team of a half dozen staff with diverse skills who oversee the health and operations of the state’s 250-station monitoring network. While a background in engineering, logistics, or geoscience is ideal, this is not required. This role is crucial to maintaining our network of remote seismic monitoring stations across the state, and we seek applicants with a wide range of backgrounds across STEM fields.
For more information and application instructions, please visit: https://careers.alaska.edu/jobs/field-engineer-alaska-earthquake-center-aec-fairbanks-alaska-united-states-5d452fd8-26da-4ee2-9927-a4cdf1059691
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies - Postdoctoral Researcher, Stream and Watershed Biogeochemistry
Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher in stream and watershed biogeochemistry. The postdoc will collaborate on an NSF-funded project exploring the role of aquatic bryophytes in structuring biogeochemical cycles in headwater streams and stream networks. This project uses modelling, regional surveys, and experiments at whole-ecosystem and smaller scales, and includes a team of researchers from the Cary Institute, Duke University, and the University of Washington. The project is closely integrated with long-term studies at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, and there are numerous opportunities for the postdoc to engage with those long-term data and the Hubbard Brook LTER research community to explore other questions in stream and watershed biogeochemistry and ecology.
Funding for the position is secured for 2 years. The initial appointment is for one year, with possibility of extension based on performance. The anticipated start date is on or around 1 September 2026. The position is based at the Cary Institute in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York, a short way north of New York City. The Cary Institute is home to a diverse, vibrant, and supportive community of colleagues.
Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Chris Solomon at the Cary Institute, and questions about the project may be directed to Dr. Solomon, Dr. Heili Lowman (Duke Univ. / Univ. of Washington), or Dr. Emily Bernhardt (Duke Univ.).
For more information, please see the job posting on the Cary Institute website: https://www.caryinstitute.org/about/careers-cary?bzid=5fe3b94bfebd
Review of applications will begin March 2, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China - Postdoctoral Positions
Postdoctoral positions are available at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen. SUSTech is a new research-focused university situated in the vibrant coastal city of Shenzhen, China, 20 minutes north of Hong Kong by train. The campus spans 500 acres of forest and lakes, providing a pleasant environment for work and living.
The candidates will work with Professor Mian Liu on global geodynamics and lithospheric tectonics. The candidate may work in any of the fields using numerical modeling that integrates with geophysical and geological observations, including but not limited to the following:
- Lithospheric deformation and magmatism
- East Asia tectonics
- Active tectonics, faulting, and earthquakes
- Archean and planetary tectonics.
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree in geodynamics, geophysics, geodesy, or a related field by the time of hire. The successful applicant should have experience with high-performance computing. The positions are for a two-year term and are renewable based on performance. The positions are funded by SUSTech, with globally competitive salaries and benefits.
To apply, please send the following via email to Prof. Mian Liu (lium6@sustech.edu.cn):
- A statement of research interests, including a summary of Ph.D. research and future research plans (2 pages)
- Curriculum vitae
- Contact information of three references
Additional information can be found at https://ess.sustech.edu.cn/Recruitment-detail-id-1261.html.
Review of applications will start immediately, and these positions will remain open until filled.
University of Minnesota, Research Scientist
The University of Minnesota Institute for Rock Magnetism (IRM) is excited to invite applications for a Research Scientist position. We seek a community-minded, collaborative colleague with interests in instrumentation, database development, and computational approaches that maximize the research utility of data collected at the IRM.
Successful applicants will be expected to contribute to a diverse range of IRM activities, including
- Providing lab user training, guidance, and community support, including contributions to biennial conferences, workshops, summer schools, Visiting Researcher proposal evaluation, and proposals for IRM operational support and instrument acquisition;
- Supporting the operation of IRM instrumentation;
- Supporting and developing databases, including the internal IRM database and its connections to external disciplinary databases such as MagIC; and
- Conducting independent research.
Applicants must have a Masters in the geosciences or a related field at the time of appointment, though a PhD is preferred. Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and a statement about their research, technical expertise, and their interest in community engagement and how these could be integrated into the IRM, as well as the names and contact information (email, phone) for three references. The statement should not be more than three pages. These materials must be submitted online. To view additional position information and apply, please see the job posting: https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/371363
Appointment may begin as early as April 2026. Review of applications will begin on February 16, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. For further information or questions, please contact Joshua M. Feinberg, Director of the IRM, at feinberg@umn.edu.
The Department of Geosciences at Utah State University (USU)
Postdoctoral research positions within the growing Earthquake Science Group
Review of applications vary, positions will remain open until filled.
This cluster hire will expand collaborative research across earthquake mechanics, geology, and geophysics, with opportunities to work alongside faculty Drs. Srisharan Shreedharan, Kelian Dascher-Cousineau, and Alexis Ault, the broader Earthquake Science Group ecosystem, and external collaborators.
Rock Deformation & Earthquake Mechanics (mentor: Dr. Srisharan Shreedharan)
The successful candidate will join the Rock Deformation and Earthquake Mechanics team (rocksandquakes.com) to pursue research on brittle deformation, fault zone processes, and earthquake cycle modeling. We invite candidates to articulate a research vision that brings new ideas and complements ongoing efforts along subduction megathrusts at the Japan Trench and Hikurangi margin, rupture dynamics in Turkey and southern California, and fundamental laboratory studies of earthquake mechanics. Apply here. Review of applications will begin November 15th, 2025, on a rolling basis, and position will remain open until filled.
Earthquake Critical Zone Processes (mentor: Dr. Alexis Ault)
This NSF-supported position investigates shallow rupture and interseismic deformation in the earthquake critical zone. Research will target the southern San Andreas fault and the 2023 Mw7.6 Elbistan earthquake surface rupture in Turkey and bridge field, rock deformation, and analytical approaches to probe shallow fault zone dynamics. The postdoc will work within a collaborative team spanning USU, Brown University, and Cal State Fullerton, with additional partners in Turkey. Apply here by December 19th, 2025, and position will remain open until filled.
Cluster Hire Details: Additional information about each position is provided on the respective linked websites. Applicants may apply for more than one position if their research background is relevant. Please either (1) submit separate application materials for each position, or (2) clearly indicate in your research statement that you wish to be considered for multiple roles. For more information or questions, contact Alexis (alexis.ault@usu.edu), Srisharan (srisharan.shreedharan@usu.edu), and/or Kelian (kelian.dascher-cousineau@usu.edu).