Postdoc Employee - Climate Change - ESPM Organisms & the Environment/Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center for Data Science & Environment (DSE)

The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center for Data Science & Environment (DSE) in the at UC Berkeley Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management is accepting applications for the Postdoctoral Employee Title for candidates interested in leading a new data-centered research project investigating the impacts of lethal humidity and heat on cattle and other animals central to food systems.

Increasing research attention has been dedicated to understanding threats that climate change-driven increases in wet-bulb temperature pose to humans. More such science is also needed when considering the potential impacts that humid heat may have upon cattle and other livestock species that also rely heavily or partially on evaporative heat loss to cool down.

Specifically, the goals of this postdoc position will be to 1) compile a global database of existing information about physiological responses of cattle and other livestock to humid heat and 2) to use these data, coupled with spatially explicit forecasts for future shifts in wet-bulb temperature, to generate predictions for how changes in wet bulb temperature will impact cattle (and secondarily other livestock species) production and the economics of these livestock systems.

DSE postdoctoral scholars are a highly valued part of our community. They will contribute to our programs and projects, by

Providing depth to our work (80%)

* Collect and analyze data related to vulnerability of cattle and other livestock to changes in heat and humidity

* Curate and share these data resources openly

* Work with spatial data generated from climate-change specialists involved in this project that have produced forecasts of changing heat and humidity regimes in the United States and globally

* Develop and implement a model to integrate data on cattle/other livestock vulnerability to heat and humidity - with spatially explicit climate forecast data - and then generate predictions of how changing wet bulb temperatures will affect cattle/other livestock production

* Link information on forecasted changes in cattle/other livestock production with industry data to understand if/how changes in heat and humidity may affect the economics of these food systems

* Interface with experts in the animal science, beef cattle science, dairy science, and climate science communities

* Disseminate research results to the broader scientific community via peer reviewed publications, conferences (scientific and industry), and seminars

* Collaborate on project reporting needs

* Bringing subject matter expertise on the topics that are critical to the success of our work

* Directly contributing to the development of data-enabled tools that help to solve an environmental challenge

Growing as a scholar (20%)

* Working closely with our team of data scientists and software engineers and finding ways to both learn from their approaches and contributing to next steps and new ideas for the Center

* Engaging faculty and other postdocs across campus for professional development

PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD degree program (or equivalent international degree)

PhD (or equivalent international degree) required by the appointment start date. The candidate should have no more than three years of post-degree research experience by start date.

* PhD in agricultural, animal science, environmental science and/or data science fields

* Domain specific knowledge of and demonstrated research experience in one or more of the following areas

- Animal physiology, beef cattle science, and dairy science

- Climate impacts on food systems

- Quantitative modelling experience in other fields for which methodologies are transferable to understanding climate impacts on livestock systems

* Demonstrate a rigorous and scholarly approach to their science, with a strong track record of publication and outreach

* Be a compassionate, professional, and reliable team player who values creating and maintaining healthy relationships with partners and stakeholders

* Have strong communication and diplomacy skills to give and receive feedback, celebrate successes, and constructively confront challenges

* Have excellent time management and organizational skills

* Experience or interest in learning open source software design and data curation

* Experience or interest in learning more about animal physiology, beef cattle science, and dairy science research as it pertains to the vulnerability of livestock to heat and humidity

* Demonstrate fluency with building quantitative models in applications that have goals similar to the specific aforementioned needs of this research project

• 3 required (contact information only)

Letters of reference will only be solicited for finalists

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment