Download Post-doctoral Position in Tracer Hydrology and Modeling of

Post-doctoral Position in Tracer Hydrology and
Modeling of preferential flow paths
Dept. of Land, Air and Water Resources
Position Summary
University of California at Davis, Davis, CA
The Dahlke lab (http://dahlke.ucdavis.edu) at the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources
(http://lawr.ucdavis.edu) at the University of California, Davis is seeking a dynamic and motivated
Postdoctoral Research Associate interested in conducting field-experimental research using a newly
developed DNA-based environmental tracer technology (microtracers) in various landscape
settings.
The new environmental tracer technology consists of synthetic, polylactic acid microspheres
containing short (100 nucleotide) synthetic DNA sequences. The DNA sequences act as “barcodes”
that in contrast to conservative tracers (e.g. salt, dye) allow virtually thousands of unique tracers to
be distinguished and applied in hydrologic systems. Because of the size of the tracer (average
particle size is 500 nm) mass flux of these tracers through the soil occurs predominantly via active
and continuous preferential flow pathways, thus, providing a means to potentially quantify flow
along those pathways.
The goal of this research is to test the applicability and efficiency of this new environmental tracer
technology for the identification and characterization of rapid flow pathways. The tracer will be
applied in various field experiments ranging from glacier experiments (e.g. injection of DNA tracers
to map englacial and subglacial flow pathways) in Alaska, shallow groundwater flow and hyporheic
exchange measurements to small hillslope hydrological experiments to map macropores and other
preferential flow paths in California. The successful candidate will also conduct laboratory
experiments with soil columns and field experiments in a natural, well-studied experimental
catchment to measure the efficiency and recovery of synthetic DNA tracers in the field and to
model the subsurface flow paths and fluid transport along preferential flow paths using vadose zone
hydrologic models. Experience in either glacier hydrologic modeling or vadose zone hydrological
modeling are desirable.
The position is available for 2 years with full benefits, and a minimum salary of $42,840. There is a
possibility for renewal depending on performance.
Duties and Responsibilities:
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Work as part of a team of hydrologists and soil scientists to execute complex lab and field
experiments using synthetic DNA tracers.
Lead efforts pertaining to acquisition and analysis of water samples collected during hydrologic
events from experimental field sites and during laboratory experiments.
Conduct hydrologic flow path, tracer transport and transit time modeling based on observed
tracer breakthrough curves.
Couple fluid flow with tracer recovery rates in vadose zone hydrologic modeling using dualporosity/dual-permeability models.
Assist the Project Leader to develop proposals to secure external funding for research projects,
prepare journal articles, reports, presentation, and graphics.
Occasionally work with student assistants and graduate students to perform field work and
model simulation.
Job Qualifications:
Qualification for this position include a PhD in hydrology, environmental engineering, soil science
or a related field of environmental science, with a strong background in the fundamentals of fluid
flow in porous media, vadose zone and hydrology, tracer hydrology and/or glacier-hydrologic
modeling. Experience in designing field and laboratory experiments and keeping a clean work
environment in a laboratory setting are desired. Prior experience working with environmental
tracers, vadose zone hydrology, snow/glacier hydrology and/or modeling codes of fluid flow and
solute transport in porous media is desired. Documented ability to link experimental and modeling
approaches in hydrologic and environmental science.
Other requirements or factors:
Good communication skills. Ability to establish effective working relationships. Good potential for
publication and working experience with stakeholders. Fluency in both written and spoken English.
Application materials:
Please apply by sending your 1) CV inclusive of publications, awards, and both laboratory, field
and computer/modeling skills, 2) a copy of your PhD diploma and 3) a cover letter discussing your
key modeling and experimental qualifications, research interest and motivations for this position to
Dr. Helen Dahlke ([email protected]). Applications will begin being reviewed on January 15,
2016.
The University of California at Davis is rated as the #1 in the world for teaching and research in
both agriculture and forestry and veterinary sciences.