-----Original Message-----
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rosenstock, Todd
Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 2:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Post-doctoral position, biofuels and bio-products, at UC
Davis

Post-doctoral position description:  Biofuels and bio-products from
agricultural feed stocks

Justification:  California's agricultural sector can contribute to the
state's transportation energy supply, with associated economic and
environmental benefits. However, there is also concern about potential
displacement of food crops and environmental effects from production of
crop-based transportation fuels and bio-products.  These effects have not
been adequately researched.  Energy crops cultivated specifically for
biofuel production are seen as potential feed stocks for California-produced
fuels.  There is a need to evaluate and model agronomic best management
practices, and demonstrate the production of energy crops suitable for
California's diverse farming conditions, but it is necessary determine the
energy, environmental and economic implications from using biomass crops as
part of California's transportation energy strategy.

Description of responsibilities:  A three-year post-doctoral or project
scientist position is available in the Department of Plant Sciences at the
University of California, Davis, beginning in February, 2010.  It is focused
on the identification of best management practices, yield potential and the
agro-ecological effects for a variety of annual and perennial biomass crops
including oilseeds, sweet sorghum, and sugar cane.  The scientist will help
manage a multi-year grant, coordinate the work of several scientists and
agronomic staff, consolidate and analyze data from a range of experiments in
diverse locations throughout the state, and model yield and resource use for
the crops investigated. The scientist will participate with a research team
developing economic and ecological assessments for the crops investigated.
The scientist will participate in and create field experiments and
demonstration trials with a group of participating scientists and
technicians, coordinate data collection and develop and supervise the
project's data base, create mandated reports for the funding agency, and
technical reports and peer-review publications based on research outcomes.

Description of qualifications:  a PhD in agronomy or a related discipline is
required.  The scientist should have demonstrated experience with agronomic
research, instrumentation for the measurement of crop physiological
parameters, and familiarity with plot and farm-scale equipment. Statistical
and simulation modeling is part of the project, so training, experience and
demonstrated capability with these skills is desirable.

Salary and benefits:  $45 to 58$K per year plus benefits, depending on the
successful candidate's level of qualifications and experience.

Please direct inquiries and send a letter of interest, an explanation of
background, transcripts and four references to:

Dr. Stephen Kaffka,
Director, California Biomass Collaborative,
Department of Plant Sciences,
University of California,
One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616-8790.
[log in to unmask]