Opportunity Type: Postdoc
Postdoctoral Researcher Effects of Land Use on National Ecological Observatory Network Sites Sentinel Organisms
University of Maine, Orono in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Conservation Biology
The research group of Dr. Sydne Record (https://umaine.edu/wle/faculty-staff-directory/sydne-record/) seeks applicants for one postdoctoral position at the University of Maine in Orono in the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology starting in Fall 2022. Note that a second postdoc position on a different project funded by NASA will also be advertised shortly. Our research group focuses on population and community ecology from a biogeographical perspective. We apply computational methods to data from various environmental observatory networks to explore ecological dynamics across space and time. Funding for this position comes from a National Science Foundation grant. The project will connect fine-grained measurements of individual organism traits, like body size, to cross-scale drivers of biodiversity from plot to continental scales. The postdoc will: lead manuscripts, collate a database of spatially explicit recent and current land use histories of NEON sites from historical documents and aerial imagery; analyze drivers of intra- and inter-specific trait variation across NEON organisms (e.g., mammals, fish, beetles); and develop hierarchical models explaining NEON’s biodiversity across the United States as a function of local- to continental-scale drivers. The preferred start date for this position is Fall 2022. This position is fully funded for up to 24-months pending satisfactory performance. Our research group is committed to anti-racism and values diverse perspectives. Applicants from historically excluded groups are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. in ecology, biology, environmental data science, statistics, or other relevant discipline. The ideal applicant will have quantitative skills (e.g., R, Python, geographic information systems, hierarchical Bayesian modeling), previous research experience and a strong background in ecology and environmental science, creativity, a strong publication record, and an excellent history in seeing projects through from start to finish. Successful applicants will be expected to work both independently and collaboratively, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and publish and present research results. This is project involves computational work and no field work. Good oral and written communication skills and flexibility given the unexpected nature of research are highly valued. Hiring of the selected candidate will be conditional on a background check performed by the UMaine Office of Human Resources.
Location: The University of Maine Orono campus is a community of ~12,000 undergraduate and graduate students. UMaine is in beautiful central Maine with an excellent quality of life (little traffic, reasonable cost of living, safe neighborhoods). Outdoor recreational activities abound with Mount Katahdin (Baxter State Park) and Acadia National Park within one hour drive and fifteen miles of running, biking, and cross-country skiing trails on campus.
Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0t1eQ3w6ZjJwduPYpW24tML_16gniLrwmvgy_msOAhTi-rg/viewform
Closing date: review of applications will begin 9/30, open until filled.
Contact: Email sydne.record@maine.edu with the subject line “NEON Postdoc” if you have questions.
The University of Maine Orono is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities.
