Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate Posting Number req26713 Department Sch of Nat Resource&Enviro-Res Department Website Link Natural Resources & the Environment Location Tucson Campus Address 1064 E. Lowell St., Tucson, AZ 85721 USA Position Highlights

The Babst Lab in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona is seeking a qualified and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate with expertise in ecosystem dynamics in anthropogenically altered drylands. The lab uses a variety of field ecological, remote sensing, and laboratory-based approaches to assess vegetation growth and functioning along environmental gradients in and beyond the U.S. Southwest. The successful candidate will conduct collaborative research on the associations between the properties of tailings storage facilities and the development of long-lasting vegetation communities on and adjacent to mining-impacted land.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will leverage existing and new observations to build predictive capacity for revegetation success or failure. The selected appointee will work under the guidance of Dr. Flurin Babst and will conduct their research in close collaboration with the Center for Environmentally Sustainable Mining, led by Dr. Alicja Babst-Kostecka, and the Arizona Remote Sensing Center, led by Dr. Willem van Leeuwen.

This is a one-year position with a possible extension contingent upon work performance and funding.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct ecological field and remote sensing studies at mining-impacted sites in the U.S. Southwest.
• Conduct empirical and/or process-based modelling of vegetation and soil dynamics in dryland settings.
• Collaborate with lab members, project partners, and project leadership on research ideas and direction.
• Participate in research meetings; lead and contribute to team discussions.
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate student research.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals; deliver oral or poster presentations at relevant conferences and outreach events.
• Contribute to grant proposals submitted by the team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in environmental science, ecology, geography, biochemistry, or a related field by the time of hire. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and expertise in integrating multi-scale remote sensing data (spectral or structural) with other environmental variables (e.g., climate, soil, and ground observations).
• Experience and expertise in statistical or process-based modelling.
• Experience conducting environmental research on mining-impacted land.
• A demonstrated track record of project leadership and relevant publications.

FLSA Exempt Full Time/Part Time Full Time Number of Hours Worked per Week 40 Job FTE 1.0 Work Calendar Fiscal Job Category Research Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits Rate of Pay NIH Salary Guidelines, Depends on Experience Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE) Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive) Number of Vacancies 1 Target Hire Date 9/28/2026 Expected End Date Contact Information for Candidates Flurin Babst
babst@arizona.edu
Open Date 8/6/2026 Open Until Filled Yes Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter Special Instructions to Applicant Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University