Postdoctoral Research Associate, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research

Posting Number

req25711

Department

Tree Ring Laboratory

Department Website Link

Location

Tucson Campus

Address

Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The University of Arizona Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in multi-proxy North Pacific climate reconstruction. The successful candidate will join an NSF-funded project aimed at developing multicentennial reconstructions of North Pacific climate using time series derived from long-lived bivalves (Pacific geoduck), trees, and corals. The position will also involve investigating ocean–atmosphere coupling, with particular emphasis on the propagation of tropical climate signals to higher latitudes. Under the supervision of Bryan Black, the project will be conducted in collaboration with paleoclimatologists and climate modelers at the University of Arizona and Iowa State University.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will use a combination of tree-ring data, bivalve, and coral growth-increment data to generate multi-proxy, multi-centennial North Pacific climate reconstructions, integrating these reconstructions with other available marine and terrestrial paleoclimatic and ecological datasets, and contribute to collaborative analyses that link proxy records with climate dynamics.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of climate reconstruction methods, with preferred experience working with growth‑increment proxy data (e.g., tree rings, bivalves, corals).
• Knowledge of Community Earth System Model (CESM) outputs and their application to evaluating ocean–atmosphere linkages identified in proxy datasets.
• Skill in scientific programming and data analysis using R, Python, MATLAB, or comparable platforms.
• Skill in oral and written scientific communication, as demonstrated through peer‑reviewed publications and conference presentations.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant field (e.g., climatology, oceanography, ecology, geosciences, or related discipline) upon hire.
• Experience in climate reconstruction, preferably using growth-increment data.
• Demonstrated experience working independently and collaboratively.
• Experience with basic programming using R, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with crossdating in trees, bivalves, or corals.
• Experience with advanced quantitative analysis and programming.
• A publication record in climate reconstruction, paleoclimatology, or climate dynamics.
• Experience working with climate model outputs (e.g., CESM).

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Research

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

NIH Salary Guidelines, Depends on Experience

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required

Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies

Target Hire Date

5/15/2026

Expected End Date

Contact Information for Candidates

For additional questions, please contact Bryan Black, Ph.D., Professor, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, at ***email_hidden***.

Open Date

4/16/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.

Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [email protected].