Please contact Dr. Marin Clark (marinkc@umich.edu) with POSTDOC APPLICATION in the subject line. Include a cover letter, CV, and a 1-2 pg research statement summarizing research experience. Application review will begin immediately and will be reviewed on rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Center for Land Surface Hazards Catalyst team (geoclash.org) invites applications for a postdoctoral research position. Appointment start date is flexible between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2023, and the appointment is for 1 year. Preference will be given to candidates with a PhD in geological sciences, environmental sciences, hydrology, civil engineering, or similar field. A successful candidate will have an emerging record of scholarly excellence and will be expected to work independently on research objectives outlined in a recent NSF award.

Exciting developments in geomorphology and geohazards are being supported by a new initiative at NSF focused on Solid Earth Geohazards. This opportunity provides fresh ground for innovative science that can have immediate impact on communities at risk of a broad range of land-surface hazards. The postdoc will integrate into an exciting team of researchers from several academic institutions and government agencies funded for a Center Catalyst award through this program. The Catalyst award supports several research-community based activities in preparation for a Center proposal in March 2023. The future Center will focus on addressing fundamental science challenges to understanding the land-surface hazard cascade. Innovation will require transdisciplinary research to predict how landsliding, debris flows, sediment transport and river flooding hazards intersect and are amplified by consecutive triggering events such as earthquakes, wildfire, and extreme storms.

The postdoc will lead two major efforts of the Catalyst project: (1) a research gap analysis and preparation of a community white paper, and (2) a pilot event-based scenario exercise with project partners. The postdoc will engage in a research-based gap analysis and evaluation of data relevant to center research themes, which is foundational to the preparation of the Center strategic plan. Community input to the gap analysis and resource planning will come from workshops, conference sessions, town hall meetings and an online scientific community discussion document. The postdoc will also envision and lead coordination of a pilot scenario exercise with project partners. The scenario exercise will explore the physical processes associated with a particular hazard chain, such as the cascading effects of wildfire and storms that follow earthquakes. We will assess how past event data can be used for model calibration, and how the probabilistic inputs from single hazard models can be integrated to inform the hazard cascade. The goal of the exercise is to identify and prioritize critical data gaps, assess model scalability, and to design research protocols for response to future disasters that incorporate ethical engagement and community input.

PhD in geological sciences, environmental sciences, hydrology, civil engineering, or similar field.

Applicants should have familiarity with scientific literature on land surface hazards. Priority will be given to applicants with experience in any one, or a combination of, the following topics: expert knowledge of landsliding processes, sediment transport, wildfire, extreme precipitation, or earthquakes; modeling of surface processes with geomorphic transport laws; statistical analysis of geospatial data for hazard assessment; modeling slope stability or sediment transport; field-based data collection for extreme events; predictive models of geomorphic hazards; and application or development of remote sensing data and processing for hazard applications.

The University of Michigan is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially encourages applications from identity groups that broaden participation in the Earth and Environmental Sciences.

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The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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