Description

Job Summary:

The postdoctoral fellow in Natural Resource Innovation within the Louise Dilworth Davis College of Science and Engineering (DCSE) at Texas Christian University will work with the Harvey Research Group to advance field-based research at the intersection of critical minerals, water reuse, produced-water-impacted soils, serpentine/ultramafic soil systems, biochar-enabled technologies, native plant systems, and marginal-land restoration.
This position complements a recently hired Postdoctoral Research Associate focused on laboratory and computational studies of reactive interfaces. Together, the two positions will help to advance a field-to-lab-to-computation research platform that connects molecular-scale geochemical processes with field-scale natural-resource challenges of economic, ecological, and national strategic relevance.

The fellow will help strengthen a field platform spanning produced-water impacted soils and naturally metal-rich serpentine soils, allowing TCU to study restoration, resource recovery, and plant-soil adaptation across marginal landscapes. This role is an initial one-year appointment, with renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

1. Designs and leads field-based studies involving produced-water-impacted soils, serpentine/ultramafic soils, water reuse, biochar amendments, native plants, and marginal-land restoration.
2. Supports field research connected to serpentine soils and associated plant communities.
3. Coordinates soil, water, plant, and amendment sampling; sample processing; field logistics; and data management.
4. Works with laboratory and computational collaborators to integrate field observations with geochemical, analytical, and AI-enabled workflows.
5. Leads and/or contributes to collaborative manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and external proposals.
6. Mentors graduate and undergraduate students in field sampling, data interpretation, and professional development.
7. Helps build partnerships with landowners, industry, and other external stakeholders.
8. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Ph.D. in geology, geochemistry, soil science, ecology, plant science, environmental engineering/science, or a closely related discipline. Ph.D. must be awarded prior to the start date and within the last 3 years.
• Experience in field-based research involving soils, water, plants, restoration, reclamation, geochemistry, or related natural-resource systems.
• Evidence of first-authored, peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals
• Experience working independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary research settings.

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Experience with produced water, saline or degraded soils, mine or industrially impacted lands, serpentine/ultramafic soils, marginal lands, or land reclamation.
• Experience with plant-soil interactions, biochar, soil amendments, phytoremediation, phytoextraction, native plants, or stress-adapted vegetation.
• Experience with field instrumentation, GIS, environmental monitoring, soil and water sampling, or restoration studies.
• Experience coordinating field-based research teams.
• Experience with critical minerals, resource recovery, water reuse, land restoration, or ecosystem-service assessment.

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• None

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• Training or experience in field safety, soil and water sampling, GIS, environmental monitoring, or related field methods.
• Familiarity with analytical tools used in soil, water, plant, or geochemical characterization.
• Familiarity with data organization, statistical analysis, geospatial analysis, or AI-enabled workflows relevant to natural-resource systems.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of soil science, geochemistry, hydrology, plant-soil interactions, restoration, reclamation, or related natural-resource principles.
• Knowledge of critical minerals, resource recovery, water reuse, land restoration, or ecosystem-service assessment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and scientific writing skills.
• Skill in project organization, field logistics, and data management.
• Skill in proposal development and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Ability to demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and interpret field data.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary research settings
• Ability to mentor students and collaborate across disciplines.
• Ability to manage timelines, meet deadlines, and contribute to manuscripts and proposals.
• Ability to translate field observations into broader research questions, partnerships, publications, and fundable projects.
• Ability to compare natural and anthropogenic metal-rich or chemically challenging soil systems.

TCU Core Competencies:

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms, field instruments, sample labels, and printed materials.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation, field settings, and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 25 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is indoors and outdoors and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours. Fieldwork may occur at partner sites in the region and may involve outdoor conditions, variable weather, uneven terrain, and standard field-sampling activities.
• This role is an on-campus, in-person position
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job. Appropriate safety protocols and personal protective equipment will be used as needed.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.

TCU Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report Notice of Availability

Texas Christian University is committed to assisting all members of the campus community in providing for their own safety and security. TCU's Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report is published in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy & Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and the Higher Education Opportunity Act. This report includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by the University, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The statements of policy contained within this report address institutional policies, procedures, and programs concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, emergency notifications and timely warning of crimes, sexual and interpersonal violence, and personal safety at TCU. Additionally, this report outlines fire safety systems, policies and procedures for on-campus housing facilities, as well as residence hall fire statistics.

The Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report can be found on the TCU Police Department website at https://police.tcu.edu/annual-security-report, or a paper copy of the report may be obtained by contacting the TCU Police Department at 817-257-7930, or via email at [email protected].