Last updated on June 5, 2007

Soil Water – Atmospheric Scientist
Research Fellow / Post Doctoral Fellow
Wagga Wagga
Full time
Fixed Term

Background Information
The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) and the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre (NWGIC) have recently established a collaborative program known as ‘NWGIC Winegrowing Futures’. This collaboration will support wine industry research through a $30 million co-investment program over five years. Regional field sites are used for the Centre’s viticulture trials.

Responsibilities
The NWGIC is seeking to appoint a postdoctoral fellow/research fellow who will assess soil based versus micrometeorological based estimates of vine/vineyard ET. The objective is to move from point-source soil-based measures of estimating vine water requirement to atmospheric determination at vineyard and sub-regional scale. This will require obtaining accurate seasonal measures of soil water balance in train with micrometeorological techniques to determine vapour and CO2 fluxes. Constructing water balances for vineyards requires an individual who possesses a complex mix of skills. 
The appointee will work with a multidisciplinary research team comprised of NWGIC, CSIRO and CSU Centre of WATER staff to ground-truth new water use forecasting methodologies against current industry standards.

The position is 100% research and reports to the NWGIC Director. The appointee will present research outputs at industry and technical forums.
Selection Criteria

Essential

  • PhD in Science or Engineering with a major in hydrology, meteorology, physics, or related discipline with equivalent research experience (for appointment as Research Fellow/Postdoctoral Fellow).
  • Significant progress towards PhD in Science or Engineering with a major in hydrology, meteorology, physics, or related discipline with equivalent research experience (for appointment as Research Associate).
  • Experience working in field environments with remotely located instrumentation.
    Demonstrated ability to design, implement, sample, and interpret results from field-based experimental trials.
  • Working knowledge of statistics and the application of advanced statistical methods including computer programming skills.
  • Knowledge and skills in the area of soil water monitoring, sap-flow measurement, and methodologies used to measure water exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate actively and effectively, both verbally and in writing to a broad range of target audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, under supervision, and as part of a team to achieve shared goals.
  • Demonstrated ability to work within defined timeframes and budgets.

Desirable

  • Understanding of perennial crop physiology.
  • Experience in collection and analysis of climatic data and weather events.
  • Experience with verifying and modifying water balance models to suit irrigated vineyards.
  • Knowledge of boundary layer physics, including eddy covariance technique to estimate CO2 and H2O exchanges.

Conditions: Contract until December 2010

The University encourages applicants to apply for the position by Monday 18 June 2007, however, will continue to consider applications until the position is filled.

Further information on this position is available from:
Dr Ron Hutton,
Deputy Director, National Wine & Grape Industry Centre
Charles Sturt University
Telephone: +61 (0)2 6933 2108
Email: ron.hutton@dpi.nsw.gov.au