Post Doctoral Associate with ELTI's Rwanda Program

About ELTI

The Environmental Leadership & Training Initiative (ELTI) was established in 2006 at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE) as a Center and Program focused on strengthening the capacity of landholders, practitioners, and decision-makers to manage tropical forest landscapes. The overall goal is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to implement a wide range of conservation and restoration strategies. ELTI achieves this goal by offering interactive field and online courses that integrate the scientific expertise of Yale faculty and local partners from many disciplines, as well as the applied experiences of practitioners and landholders who manage restoration interventions. Field courses are held in training landscapes–adapted from the Yale Forests pedagogical approach–allowing participants to engage in hands-on, place-based learning.

About the ELTI-Rwanda Program

As one of the first countries to commit to the Bonn Challenge, the Rwandan government has pledged to restore two million hectares of deforested and degraded lands by 2030. Achieving this ambitious goal will require significant growth in the country’s technical expertise, particularly for restoration efforts on highly degraded smallholder farms. In March 2024, an ELTI scoping and assessment process, conducted with Rwandan professionals and institutions, identified a knowledge gap in the propagation and management of native trees and in supporting smallholders to integrate these trees into their agricultural practices.

To address this gap, the ELTI team is partnering with the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Rwanda program to launch the ELTI-Rwanda program. This new field initiative will provide technical assistance within the framework of the recently approved Green Climate Fund (GCF) project titled, “Building Resilience of Vulnerable Communities to Climate Variability in Rwanda’s Congo Nile Divide through Forest and Landscape Restoration.” The project focuses on the Congo-Nile Divide (CND) region, which spans a steep, high elevation ridge running north-south across Rwanda (project description). One key aspect of the project is tree planting, aimed at mitigating the impacts of increasingly frequent extreme weather events. These events are already affecting soil stability, food security, and livelihoods for smallholder farmers. The project will also contribute to carbon sequestration and the conservation of biodiversity. 

With over a decade of experience in field-based capacity development in the Neotropics and Southeast Asia, ELTI is well-positioned to expand into Africa. The ELTI-Rwanda program will build on the expertise of ELTI staff and affiliates, YSE faculty, WCS partners, and others to support Rwanda’s growing restoration efforts. The program will (a) launch a capacity development initiative focused on native species reforestation and (b) establish a novel training program with Rwandan practitioners and smallholder farmers, helping them adopt and manage on-farm restoration practices with native trees.

To support this initiative, ELTI has received an initial seed grant from Yale Planetary Solutions (YPS). The funding will support three primary activities: (1) establishing a multidisciplinary working group of academics and practitioners to guide the program, (2) assessing Rwanda’s restoration efforts and knowledge gaps, and (3) developing a field course on forest landscape restoration with native species for Rwandan decision makers, practitioners, and extension officers.

Position Overview

ELTI is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate to join the team at the Yale School of the Environment to support the development of the ELTI-Rwanda capacity development program. The postdoctoral associate will compile, interpret, and synthesize research on applied forest ecology and silviculture, with a particular focus on native species reforestation in high-density agricultural landscapes.

The primary outcomes of this analysis will include:

1. A peer-reviewed publication and complementary white paper summarizing work being done on forest restoration by people and organizations in the region. A peer-reviewed publication synthesizing information on the growth and cultivation of native trees and forest restoration, drawn from gray literature, peer-reviewed studies, and field data. A native species restoration guide for landholders, decision makers, and practitioners, the first of its kind in the region.

The successful candidate will be based in New Haven, CT, with travel to Rwanda between 1-3 times during the year to participate in working group activities and contribute to the assessment of expertise and knowledge gaps. The associate may also provide technical input for the training curriculum and support the implementation of the field course. The position reports to Professor Mark Ashton and collaborates closely with ETLI’s Director, Rwanda Program Manager, and other field team affiliates.

ELTI is committed to providing structured mentoring to postdoctoral associates, fostering professional development, and preparing them for success in their careers. We value diverse perspectives and aim to create an inclusive, supportive environment for all team members. The postdoctoral associate will join a collaborative community of applied researchers and practitioners, including other postdoctoral associates, faculty, students, and ELTI staff and field affiliates.

The salary for the position is $68,000, with benefits including full medical coverage, long-term disability, paid family leave, retirement saving accounts, and other Yale employee benefits described here: https://postdocs.yale.edu/applicants/yale-benefit-summary. The desired start date is January 1st, 2025. This position is initially funded for one year, with the possibility of extension depending on performance and additional funding.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Compile, interpret, and synthesize research on native species reforestation in high density agricultural landscapes, including smallholder preferences, focusing on Rwanda and East Africa. Publish peer-reviewed articles and produce white papers for applied audiences based on research findings. Contribute to the development of a handbook or field guide on native tree propagation and management for use in the ELTI-Rwanda program (click here for a Spanish-language example in the Neotropics).

Secondary Duties (when Feasible)

Participate in the working group established by ELTI’s program manager at WCS to guide the ELTI-Rwanda program. Contribute to the assessment of Rwanda’s restoration processes and knowledge gaps. Provide technical expertise for the development of the new training curriculum focused on native species reforestation. Participate as a trainer or technical specialist in the first field course. Provide mentorship to university students in Rwanda working on their theses on related themes.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. degree in applied forest ecology, silviculture, or related field, with a focus on tropical forest restoration. Strong background in forest landscape restoration and smallholder agroforestry (preferred). Proven ability to collaborate with team members across disciplines and cultures. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize and present research findings for diverse audiences. Experience organizing and conducting fieldwork in challenging environments. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a strong interest in promoting local community engagement, knowledge, and empowerment.

Application

We are currently accepting applications and will prioritize those received by December 15, 2024. To apply, send a single PDF document that includes a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three professional references. In your cover letter, please address:

1. Your interest and experience in generating and/or using applied science to advance farm-based restoration or restoration in mosaic landscapes. How this postdoc position aligns with your professional goals and will support your career development.

Please direct applications or inquiries to Dr. Eva Garen (eva.garen@yale.edu) and Grace Bachmann (grace.bachmann@yale.edu), with the following included in the subject line: “ELTI Rwanda postdoc application.”