Postdoctoral Fellow II

Overview

We seek a Postdoctoral Fellow II in Quantitative Population Ecology in the Utah State University Department of Wildland Resources. This is a two- to three-year position studying the population trends and management of waterbirds in the Great Salt Lake. The goals of the project are: 1) to determine the effects of changing water, habitat, and food resources on population trends of waterbirds in the Great Salt Lake; and 2) to evaluate dynamic and adaptive management strategies for waterbirds across spatiotemporal scales. The successful candidate will use long-term survey data collected by the Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program from 1997-current across 24 survey units with the lake, and remote sensing tools to understand water and habitat change. The focus of the project will be to build spatially-explicit Bayesian hierarchical models to analyze and project waterbird populations over time and space, and how they are influenced by resources and management. The project includes opportunities for engaging with collaborators at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Audubon Society, and Sageland Collaborative, as well as mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

 

The position will ideally be located in Logan, UT, on the main campus of Utah State University, but fully remote-work will be considered for exceptional candidates within the U.S. This is a full-time, Postdoctoral Fellow position with salary depending on experience, and includes full benefits (13 paid holidays, 22 days of paid leave and 12 days of sick leave per year, competitive health benefits packages, and a fully-vested 14.2% employer retirement contribution). This Postdoctoral position will be available for an initial duration of one year with potential for extension for a second and third year depending on performance. This position is telework eligible within the state of Utah. Telework outside of the stateof Utah is subject to review and approval by the University prior to a job offer being extended.

Responsibilities

• Access and organize waterbird population data in collaboration with managers
• Develop a model to analyze waterbird populations and responses to environmental change and management
• Write reports/manuscripts
• Meet with collaborators and UDWR managers to communicate research results and help develop management actions

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicants must have a PhD in Ecology, Biology, or a related field with a strong quantitative background
• Evidence of creativity, productivity, and strong oral/written communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with agency, non-profit, and academic scientists

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in Bayesian statistics, implemented in JAGS, Nimble, Stan, etc.
• Proficiency in ecological modeling, data analysis, and working with large datasets
• Record of success conducting research, evidenced by publication in peer-reviewed journals

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

 

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV” 

2. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile 

3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

College/Department Highlights

The S. J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources is nationally and internationally recognized for its research, extension, and teaching on natural and socio-environmental ecosystems. It is a high-impact college at Utah State University with over $15M in research funding annually, 55 tenure-track faculty in three departments, and close partnerships with federal and state natural resource agencies.  

 

 The Department of Wildland Resources in QCNR encompasses research in applied terrestrial ecology, including the ecology and management of wildlife, forests, rangelands, conservation biology, and climate change adaptation.  Award-winning faculty teach courses that prepare students for professional careers in many natural resources fields, including programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters and the Society for Range Management and aligned with the Society of Ecological Restoration. 

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service uni