Postdoctoral Fellow ll

We seek a Postdoctoral Fellow ll in Quantitative Ecology and Data Science to join a interdisciplinary team spanning Utah State University the U.S. Geological Survey and Emory University. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead cutting-edge research at the intersection of spatial ecology population modeling and global change ecology.

This position will be available for an initial duration of one year with potential for extension for a second and third year depending on performance. The anticipated start date for this position is between July 1st and the Fall semester.

We will begin reviewing on April 30 2026 and leave open the position until filled.

Questions about this position can be directed to: T.J. Clark-Wolf:

This position is telework eligible within the state of Utah. Telework outside of the state of Utah is subject to review and approval by the University prior to a job offer being extended.

The successful candidate will spearhead the development of a novel modeling framework to advance our mechanistic understanding of how climate change drives species range shifts and reshapes biodiversity across landscapes. This framework will emphasize how extrinsic environmental drivers (e.g. climate and habitat) interact with species intrinsic traits (e.g. dispersal and demographic) to alter the population dynamics of species and communities in space and time. This work sits at a critical frontier in ecology: translating the wealth of available biological data into process-oriented predictive models that explain the eco-evolutionary dynamics of range shifts. Furthermore insights gathered from this work will be used to inform conservation policy and management in a rapidly changing world.

While the position has a primary focus on North American birds integrating trait databases and large-scale survey or citizen science datasets we are equally enthusiastic about candidates with expertise in other vertebrate or invertebrate taxa including reptiles amphibians mammals fishes and insects. Candidates with interests in related ecological and epidemiological processes such as the spatial dynamics of wildlife disease are also strongly encouraged to apply. We value intellectual flexibility and welcome candidates who will help shape the direction of this research program.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in ecology evolutionary biology quantitative biology biostatistics or a closely related field completed prior to the start date.
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistical or mathematical modeling particularly methods relevant to population dynamics species distribution modeling or spatial ecology.
• Strong programming skills in R Python or equivalent languages with experience in handling and analyzing large ecological datasets.
• A track record of peer-reviewed publication commensurate with career stage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team spanning academia government agency and NGOs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with integrated population models hierarchical Bayesian models or state-space models.
• Familiarity with citizen science or large-scale biodiversity databases (e.g. eBird GBIF Breeding Bird Survey BioTIME).
• Experience with species-level trait or demographic databases (e.g. AVONET Comadre AmphiBIO PanTHERIA).
• Knowledge of climate-change ecology macroecology or conservation biology.
• Experience with high-performance computing environments.

Along with the online application please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV
2. Contact information for three (3) professional references willing to provide letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation will only be requested from final candidates
3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application maximum 2-pages indicating how you meet the qualifications of the position why you are interested in this position specifically how this position might support your career goals and why you might be a good fit for this project

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

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.

The S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resourcesis committed to enhancing lives and landscapes through education research and outreach. We work across biological physical and socioeconomic boundaries to better understand natural and managed ecosystems and to promote the ethical use of land food water and economic resources. Our faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their scholarship and engage in collaborations that advance discovery and innovation across disciplines. Many hold Extension appointments that connect their research directly to communities throughout Utah.

With a statewide network of campuses and learning centers the college serves people in both urban and rural communities as part of the universitys land-grant mission. We foster professional collaboration within and beyond the university and experiential learning for students at all phases of their academic path. Faculty and studentsbenefitfrom Utahs remarkable and varied landscapes whichprovideunparalleled opportunities for field-based research education and outreach.

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