Postdoctoral Researcher

Mission:

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate people and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

Woodwell Climate is a rapidly growing top-ranked independent non-profit climate research institute whose mission is to advance science-based climate policies through scientific research and outreach. Our world-leading research and impact helps individuals organizations corporations communities and nations understand the realities of climate change recognize the impact on our planet and embrace the urgent action needed to safeguard the future of life on Earth.

SUMMARY

Woodwell Climate seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead fire spread modeling as part of a large multi-institutional project focused on the potential for fire management to protect carbon and permafrost in Alaska and Canada. The selected candidate will lead the development and application of a landscape fire spread model in order to understand how various management interventions influence fire behavior burned area and long-term carbon and permafrost dynamics at focal geographies in Alaska and the Northwest Territories Canada. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with scientists involved in the Permafrost Pathways project at Woodwell and project partners in Alaska and Canada.

Responsibilities:

• Survey available stochastic physics-informed and AI-based fire spread models

• Develop (as needed) parameterize and apply a fire spread model to focal geographies in Interior Alaska and the Northwest Territories Canada

• Work with the Permafrost Pathways modeling team to couple the landscape fire spread model to a process-based ecosystem model

• Collaborate with project staff and partners on stakeholder and rightsholder engagement to co-develop modeling scenarios

• Conduct and analyze model simulations

• Collaborate with project partners to estimate carbon cost-effectiveness metrics based on model simulations

• Participate in the AI Collaborative on Wildfires and other multi-institutional collaborative opportunities

• Independently execute a variety of complex research procedures

• Schedule own work and lead implementation

• Lead manuscript preparation and publication

• Present results at relevant meetings convenings and conferences

Must have the Following Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of wildfires arctic-boreal ecosystems carbon cycling and fire management

• Experience developing and/or applying landscape fire spread models

• Demonstrated ability to develop and apply research techniques to complex problems

• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a highly collaborative team

• Ability to work across disciplines and engage with right shareholders and stakeholders outside the academic community

• Demonstrated record of publication in scientific journals

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Ability to travel up to 10% annually

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. (granted or expected soon) in Environmental Sciences Earth System Science Ecology Geography or a related discipline

Work Environment:

The functions of this role are conducted indoors.

Hours of Work:

• This role is paid on a salary basis.

• Typically full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek. However this is a salaried position. Therefore the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position.

Application review will begin on June 15 2026

Desired Start Date: August 2026

Fixed-term: 2 years

Classification and Compensation:This is a full-time salaried exempt position the annual salary range starting at $71k dependent on qualifications/experience. Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location:Falmouth Massachusetts hybrid or remote.

Application Instructions:To apply please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae asa single PDFto our careers portal.

Please visit Woodwells websiteto learn more about Woodwells work.

Located on a 10-acre campus near the village of Woods Hole the Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell) is a private non-profit research center. Woodwell is a leading source of climate science that drives the urgent action needed to solve climate change. Woodwell has 100 staff members and is excited to welcome new employees to this work.

Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex mental or physical disability age sexual orientation gender identity national origin familial status veteran status genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Woodwell is committed to providing access equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices services programs and activities.