Modeling surface water N loading and removal for the nation: Foundation for ecosystem services assessment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Ecosystem Services Research Program seeks an individual to contribute to an ongoing, multi-year effort to characterize N-related ecosystem services and human impacts on these services within the US.
In the continental US, inputs of reactive nitrogen (N) to the terrestrial biosphere have increased by nearly five-fold over natural background rates due to activities associated with transportation, and food, fiber, and energy production.
A number of recent modeling efforts (e.g. SPARROW, NEWS, and others) have focused on linking anthropogenic N enrichment with N loading to surface freshwaters and the coastal zone at regional and global scales. Yet, much work remains to be done comparing and interpreting output from existing regional and national scale models as well as enhancing the spatial and temporal resolution of these models to increase their utility to managers and policy-makers.
It is expected that the postdoctoral fellow in this position will work closely with Dr. John Harrison (Washington State University -Vancouver) to implement spatially explicit models of aquatic N loading, thereby enhancing understanding of sources, patterns, and controls of N inputs to surface fresh waters and the coastal zone, as well as the potential impacts of these inputs on ecosystem services.
It is anticipated that this effort will be coordinated with complementary efforts to estimate N inputs, outputs, and removal within many ecosystem types within the US, including wetlands, riparian areas, and river networks (headwater streams, perennial streams, and large rivers).
Qualifications: a Ph.D. in biogeochemistry, biogeochemical modeling, limnology, marine or estuarine ecology, or a related field.
The primary duty station will be the Freshwater Ecology Branch of the Western Ecology Division (WED) located in Corvallis, Oregon.
The Associate will work EPA scientists as part of a national EPA program examining the impacts of nitrogen within EPA’s Ecosystem Services Research Program.
More information on the position at Nas.edu >
Information on the NRC program and application process at Nas.edu >
Closing date is March 15, 2010.
For more information please contact Jana Compton, Ph.D.,
compton.jana(at)epa.gov (541) 754-4620 |
