We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate effects of plant diversity and water availability on soil carbon and microbial functionality. We are particularly focused on agro-ecosystems in CA where a mechanistic understanding of biogeochemistry and soil biotic interactions can be leveraged to support soil heath and multifunctionality in the face of dwindling water supplies. You will support a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team studying soil microbial ecophysiology and microbe-mineral-organic matter interactions, with access to a unique set of isotope-tracing, imaging and bioinformatics tools. This position is in the Environmental Isotope Systems Group of the Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division and will support the DOE-funded Microbes Persist Soil Microbiome Science Focus Area project.

You will:

• Quantitatively evaluate how plant diversity shapes ecophysiology and interactions of soil microbiomes, and downstream effects on soil carbon persistence.
• Develop an ecological framework linking belowground interactions of the soil microbial community with carbon persistence, specifically in relation to drought.
• Design and implement experiments exploring mycorrhizal-plant interactions and their relationship with soil carbon persistence.
• Explore links between microbial ecophysiology and soil biogeochemical fluxes by coupling multivariate 'omics data with geochemistry data.
• Assist with the collection of soil and plant samples from various California field sites.
• Collaborate with a diverse team of multidisciplinary scientists and technical personnel to accomplish research goals.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences, seminar, and/or technical meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.