Skip to main content

This job has expired

Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Public and Community Health Sciences

Job Details



A Postdoctoral Research Associate position focused on wildlife habitat suitability and connectivity is available with Dr. Kathy Zeller (Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute) and Dr. Erin Landguth (University of Montana). This position will work on forecasting habitat suitability and connectivity for multiple focal species throughout the Crown of the Continent Ecoregion. Focal species include elk, mule deer, and grizzly bear. The researcher will be expected to project future habitat suitability and connectivity given climate and other landscape changes and help to develop models that predict genetic or demographic effects of future scenarios on wildlife populations, with flexibility and creativity around design encouraged. This work will inform a Landscape Conservation Design for the Crown of the Continent that is being developed by the Crown Managers Partnership.

The Responsibilities for the position include:

  • Integrate available data from our partners (telemetry, camera trap, hair snare locations) to model current and future habitat suitability
  • Forecast current and future connectivity
  • Use demographic and genetic models to estimate current and future population trends under different scenarios
  • Communicate findings to research partners
  • Publish at least 2 peer-reviewed manuscripts from research


UM is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.



Position Details
  • Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment, renewable contingent on satisfactory performance and availability of funds; and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
  • Salary for this position is $60,000 to $65,000 commensurate with experience.




Required Education and Skills

  • Ph.D. (current or within 3 months for current Ph.D. Candidates) in a relevant discipline with experience in wildlife biology, landscape/spatial ecology, connectivity, modeling, or related field
  • Coding proficiency in R and/or Python
  • Demonstrated experience of excellent research capabilities required to carry out innovative and insightful research
  • Ability to identify, analyze and summarize relevant literature
  • Ability to devise and articulate a research plan with defined goals, and design sound experimental strategies with appropriate controls
  • Proven record and ability to produce research to a high publication standard
  • Ability to learn and apply new skills appropriate to conduct necessary research
  • Knowledge and experience in a laboratory environment
  • Proven ability to communicate complex ideas and concepts (both orally and in writing) to scientific and non-scientific audiences
  • Ability and willingness to undertake collaborative research


About the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, UM , and Missoula

The Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, part of U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS), is an interagency, national research facility located on campus at the University of Montana. The Leopold Institute is the only federal research group in the United States dedicated to development and dissemination of knowledge needed to steward the 110-million acre, U.S. National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS), and similarly protected wild lands. We have a long a long history of conducting and sharing science in support of the NWPS, as well as collaborating with academic, NGO, tribal, community, and other partners within the U.S. and internationally.

The School of Public and Community Health Sciences (SPCHS) at the University of Montana is home to a diverse and highly interactive faculty, hosting undergraduate and graduate (MPH/PhD) programs. The SPCHS is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), and is the only accredited public health program in the state of Montana, and one of only a few in the Northern Rocky Region. We currently have 11 core faculty, with another 28 program and practitioner faculty affiliated with our School. Nearly two hundred students are enrolled in our academic offerings, making our School one of the fastest growing programs on campus. The SPCHS also has a heavy research focus, with faculty members and students engaged in research programs related to both domestic and international public health concerns.

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with approximately 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 500+ full-time faculty members. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 70,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “ top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000 ” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “ The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America ” in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life . Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.



Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Application Deadline: June 21, 2021 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Application review will begin after the date above and continue until the position is filled.

Please submit the following application materials via "New Resume/CV" button below.

*Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

  • Letter of Interest addressing the stated required skills for the position
  • Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
  • Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular

Company

University of Montana.

At UM, we approach everything with creativity because that’s what this evolving world needs. We are stewards of this place, its history and our future. We are driving forward together, affecting change that is right for our place and people. We know of no better place than Montana and its university to make a lasting impact on the common good.

As Montana’s flagship university, we set a high bar for academic studies, creative accomplishments and scientific exploration which benefit our students, our community and the world at large.

The University draws a diverse, global population to Missoula – our home and the state’s second-largest city with about 80,000 residents – and helps cultivate an educated, engaged and vibrant community. Our students receive a world-class education in a broad range of subjects that include the arts, sciences, trades, graduate and postdoctoral study and professional training.

Our main campus, nestled in the heart of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, spans 56 acres at the base of Mount Sentinel and along the Clark Fork River, and includes the park-like Oval at the center of campus, more than 60 architecturally unique buildings and a 25,200-seat football stadium. UM's 180-acre South Campus offers student housing, a golf course, soccer fields and an outdoor track facility. Missoula College occupies two sites, one just across the river from the main campus, and one on the southwest side of Missoula.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert