Postdoctoral Fellowship – Soil Macrofauna & Carbon – University of São Paulo, Brazil
Quick Overview
CCARBON – Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture at the University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP) is offering a 24-month postdoctoral fellowship to advance understanding of soil macrofauna and its relationship with carbon and soil health. This project involves a continental-scale data synthesis and meta-analysis, integrating datasets from Brazil and other tropical regions. The fellowship includes a monthly stipend of R$ 12,570.00.
Experience Level: PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy, or Environmental Science
Best Fit: Candidates with soil macrofauna field assessment experience
Deadline: August 31, 2026
Key Details
| Position | Postdoctoral Fellow |
| Project | Soil macrofauna and its relationship with carbon and soil health |
| Institution | University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP) |
| Center | CCARBON – Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture |
| Location | Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Qualification | PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy, or Environmental Science |
| Stipend | R$ 12,570.00 per month |
| Duration | 24 months (full-time, 40 hours/week) |
| Deadline | August 31, 2026 |
| Apply Via | Google Form (link above) |
| Contact | research.ccarbon@usp.br / cherubin@usp.br |
Project Overview
This project aims to advance understanding of the abundance, diversity, and distribution of macrofauna and its role in regulating soil carbon dynamics and soil health through a continental-scale data synthesis and meta-analysis. A harmonized database will be developed by integrating soil macrofauna datasets from CCARBON – CEPID, collaborating institutions and partners (e.g., GlobalSoilMacrofauna consortium), and the scientific literature.
Using statistical and machine learning approaches, the project will identify the main drivers controlling soil macrofauna abundance and diversity in various land uses across Brazil and other tropical regions, while investigating their relationships with soil carbon stocks and soil health indicators.
What Makes This Fellowship Stand Out
This postdoctoral fellowship offers the opportunity to work on a large-scale, continent-wide data synthesis project at the forefront of soil biodiversity research. The position is part of the CCARBON – CEPID center, a leading research initiative in tropical agriculture and carbon science. You’ll work with an extensive network of collaborators, including the GlobalSoilMacrofauna consortium, and contribute to high-impact publications, policy reports, and open-access datasets.
Key Responsibilities
- Dataset Organization
- Compile, organize, and harmonize soil macrofauna data from the team, CEPID-CCARBON datasets, research partners, and literature
- Include metadata (location, climate, biome, land use, sampling depth, management practices, soil properties)
- Organize soil macrofauna indicators in cloud-based and local open-access repositories
- Data Analysis
- Explore the database to understand drivers governing macrofauna abundance and diversity
- Generate and validate scoring curves (algorithms) using cumulative normal distribution functions and/or machine learning
- Explore correlations between macrofauna (taxon abundance, biomass, diversity) and soil carbon data
- Scientific Outputs
- Lead elaboration of technical, scientific, and political reports on soil biodiversity
- Produce scientific papers in high-impact journals
- Produce and deposit datasets in internal and external repositories
- Organize workshops with research partners
Candidate Requirements
Mandatory:
- PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy, or Environmental Science
- Solid experience with soil macrofauna field assessments
- Experience in dataset organization, statistical analysis, and/or soil health assessment frameworks
- Previous publication(s) of scientific paper(s) on soil macrofauna
- Familiarity with statistical software (R, Python, SAS, or similar)
- English proficiency for reading, writing, and presenting
- Full-time residence in Piracicaba (SP)
Desired (a plus):
- Experience with large datasets and metadata standardization
- Knowledge of geospatial analysis (GIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine)
- Experience with carbon and soil health metrics and assessment frameworks
- Previous publications on soil health and soil carbon
- Familiarity with cloud repositories and reproducible workflows
- Valid driver’s license
What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Stipend | R$ 12,570.00 per month |
| Duration | 24 months |
| Hours | 40 hours/week (full-time) |
| Start Date | Immediate |
| Location | Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Research Network | CCARBON – CEPID, GlobalSoilMacrofauna consortium |
Application Tips
- Highlight soil macrofauna experience – Mandatory requirement.
- Show publication record – Previous papers on soil macrofauna required.
- Demonstrate data analysis skills – R, Python, SAS, or similar.
- Emphasize dataset organization experience – Large dataset management.
- Apply via Google Form only – Link provided in job posting.
- Submit before deadline – August 31, 2026.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the CCARBON open opportunities through the following link:
Contact: research.ccarbon@usp.br / cherubin@usp.br
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the stipend amount? R$ 12,570.00 per month.
- What is the duration? 24 months.
- What is the qualification requirement? PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy, or Environmental Science.
- Is field experience required? Yes, solid experience with soil macrofauna field assessments.
- What is the location? Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
