The USDA Forest Service Urban Ecosystems and Processes is a team in the Urban Ecosystems and Social Dynamics Program, part of the Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW). Its scientists and staff conduct research to increase knowledge of urban forest benefits and costs and develop tools to assess long-term net benefits from urban greening strategies. They work closely with partners in PSW, UC Davis, CALFIRE, FS State and Private Forestry, utilities, and non-profits like the Sacramento Tree Foundation and TreePeople. With its partners, it links research, application, and training to provide efficient delivery of science in urban greening to the practitioner through scientific publications, new technologies, field demonstrations, and targeted training programs.

The postdoctoral position is in a research work team, “Urban Ecosystems and Processes” located in Davis, California. The scientist will plan and conduct research that quantifies the interactive processes and effects among components of the urban forest ecosystem such as plants, soil, water, climate, and built surfaces. The work involves quantifying the effects of trees on atmospheric processes, microclimate and building energy use.

The scientist uses existing tree shade and building energy performance models and collects field data on tree species, size, and location relative to a sample of residential buildings in Sacramento to model energy effects. Findings will document the growth and longevity of trees previously measured in 1994, as well as changes in their impacts on building energy use. These data will provide a better understanding of the tradeoffs between various urban forest structures designed to strategically plant trees for cooling energy savings. The results will guide the creation and maintenance of optimal forest structures that maximize energy benefits for local residents while insuring desired levels of cost and safety. Also, the scientist uses Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing to classify tree canopy cover and quantify relations between tree crown area and field measured dimensions for a sample of Sacramento street trees. Results from this study will assist in development of procedures for monitoring tree growth with remote sensing and calculating carbon storage for urban forest project protocol reporting. The scientist’s modeling and measurement work will result in important empirical and theoretical advances in the science of urban and community forestry.

Applicants must possess a Ph.D. in a field directly related to the research to be conducted in the position. The scientist is expected to undertake internationally recognized research, assist in the planning of research programs, publish research outcomes, and present talks and lectures. Applicants should have strong communication skills (oral and written); familiarity with grants and agreement processes is helpful, but not required. Developing and maintaining good working relationships are important skills to have in order to be effective in this position.

If you are interested in this position or would like more information, please contact Greg McPherson at (530) 759-1723, or via email at gmcpherson@fs.fed.us.