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Postdoctoral Research Associate, CAP, U.S. Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Employer
University of Montana
Location
Missoula, Montana, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Date posted
Jan 14, 2025

Job Details

Description

The University of Montana is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the 2025-2027 Future of Species Range Shifts cohort as part of the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program, hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Centers. The successful applicant will conduct research related to species-specific assessments of climate connectivity and potential range shifts within the North Central and Rocky Mountain protected area network, as well as join eight other postdocs from around the country to conduct a national synthesis project related to species range shifts. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Solomon Dobrowski (University of Montana) and Dr. Sean Parks (US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station) and will collaborate with an interdisciplinary research team.

This project will develop species-specific assessments of climate connectivity and potential range shifts for a suite of woody plant species within the North Central and Rocky Mountain protected area network. More specifically, we will use spatial climate analogs and Forest Inventory and Analysis data to 1) project potential climate induced range shifts in woody plant taxa for national parks, national forests, and the unprotected matrix of federal, state, and tribal lands between these areas; 2) evaluate climatic and non-climatic factors that may facilitate or impede successful range shifts; 3) provide our management partners with geospatial datasets on potential vegetation compositional shifts and factors that impede climate connectivity; and 4) provide decision support tools for interpreting these results.

The University of Montana 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

Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate (appointment renewable for up to two (2) years)

Salary: $70,000 per year
Benefits: Medical Insurance/Mandatory Retirement Contribution/Professional Development/Partial Tuition Waiver/Wellness program.


About the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program

The U.S. Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) are building the next generation of science leaders through the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program . The CAP Fellows Program sponsors cohorts of post-doctoral researchers for two-years to conduct regional-to-national scale analyses of emerging climate research needs centered around one theme. The unifying theme for this cohort is the Future of Species Range Shifts . The program will include nine postdoctoral fellows distributed across the country, with one fellow based in each of the nine Regional CASCs . Each postdoctoral candidate will work with their PI(s) and associated leaders in the field to lead a regionally relevant project pertaining to the mechanisms and implications of climate-mediated range shifts.

Concurrently with the regional project, the Fellows will participate in an independent national-scale synthesis effort on the cohort’s unifying theme, the Future of Species Range Shifts, and gain valuable experience in collaborative research. While the national synthesis topic may relate to the regional research projects, it will typically address nationally pressing research questions related to the cohort topic; synthesize the state of the science on the cohort topic across all CASC regions; and advance our understanding of management-relevant applications of this information. Fellows will conduct much of the national synthesis effort at four in-person workshops, attended by Fellows, facilitators, and other subject matter experts. Two of these workshops are hosted in Santa Barbara, CA by the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), a partner of the CAP Fellows Program who provides varied support for the Fellows throughout their program tenure.

As part of the CAP Fellow Program, postdocs will receive extensive training and mentorship on three core areas crucial for their success during the Fellowship and in their future careers: 1) Team Science, 2) Synthesis Science, and 3) Actionable Science. Many of these skills are not taught during standard graduate school curriculums or conventional postdoc positions.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
  • A PhD in a relevant field such as ecology, forestry, geography, data sciences, earth sciences.
  • A demonstrated record of relevant publications.
  • Strong analytical and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated experience in geospatial scripting with R, Python, or similar.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated interest in development of actionable science and science co-production.
  • Previous experience with managing large data-model pipelines, high performance/distributed/parallel computing, advanced interactive data visualizations.
  • Relevant research and experience in conservation biogeography.
Application Instructions

Screening of applications will begin after the closing date of January 30, 2025 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.



To apply, please upload the following materials:


  • Letter of Interest – please describe your interest in the CAP fellows program, the postdoctoral position and your relevant research and work experience.
  • Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
  • Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information
Questions about the position or CAP program can be directed to Solomon Dobrowski (solomon.dobrowski@umontana.edu)

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Montana shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, gender, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation (“protected classes”). Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, gender, age, political ideas, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request.

Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

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.

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).

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.

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