Post Doctoral Fellow - Consumer Ecology of Boreal Forests

    Apply now
  • Job Number:524163
  • Classification:UNAC Post Doctoral Fellow
  • Grade:UNAC Post Doctoral Fellow
  • Work type:Hybrid, On Campus, Post Doc, Remote, Remote within Alaska
  • Administrative Unit:University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • School/Business unit:UAF Institute of Arctic Biology
  • Location:Fairbanks
  • Categories: Research/Science/Grants

Position Summary:

The University of Alaska invites applications for a two-year post doctoral researcher in consumer dynamics in boreal forests. This is a fixed-term position working with the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research (BNZ-LTER) program located in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Duties:

100Duties of the position focus on data synthesis, including compiling data from the BNZ-LTER data archive as well as other data sources, developing a conceptual framework to guide the synthesis analytics, and conducting data analyses with modern analytic tools to address the synthesis questions. The Post Doctoral Researcher will work closely with other members of the BNZ-LTER team to develop synthesis questions and approach, including assimilation of results into collaborative modelling efforts. The position allows for multiple professional development opportunities, including joining a team of investigators from multiple academic institutions focused on boreal forest ecology, working closely with experts in population dynamics, trophic interactions, disturbance ecology, and simulation modeling, and engaging with ongoing field investigations.Essential

This position focuses on data synthesis to advance understanding of herbivore dynamics and their impacts on successional trajectories in the boreal forest. The Post Doctoral Researcher will work as a member of the BNZ-LTER team to integrate results from studies of vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores in interior Alaska. Data sources include field-based surveys of hare, moose, and insect herbivore populations, herbivory experiments carried out over the past three decades, and monitoring of herbivore impacts on dominant woody plants and ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling. The post-doctoral researcher will aim to integrate these results to assess the magnitude and distribution of consumer impacts on tree population dynamics and competitive interactions, and consequences for successional trajectories of boreal forests. The data synthesis will support our efforts to understand the role that consumers play in directing succession and forest dynamics in the context of the ongoing changes in climate and disturbance being experienced in Alaska and other boreal regions.

Duties of the position focus on data synthesis, including compiling data from the BNZ-LTER data archive as well as other data sources, developing a conceptual framework to guide the synthesis analytics, and conducting data analyses with modern analytic tools to
address the synthesis questions. The Post Doctoral Researcher will work closely with other members of the BNZ-LTER team to develop synthesis questions and approach, including assimilation of results into collaborative modelling efforts.

The position allows for multiple professional development opportunities, including joining a team of investigators from multiple academic institutions focused on boreal forest ecology, working closely with experts in population dynamics, trophic interactions, disturbance ecology, and simulation modeling, and engaging with ongoing field investigations.

The Post Doctoral Researcher will be based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Applicants who would like to work remotely will also be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of data science, including meta-analysis and quantitative synthesis tools.

Demonstrated knowledge of consumer ecology related to vertebrate or invertebrate herbivores.

Ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals and other scholarly publications.

Strong collaboration skills as well as demonstrated ability to work independently.

Proficiency in English.
Preferred Experience & Education:
Strong background in ecological science as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.

Familiarity with boreal forest systems is preferred but not required.
Required Experience & Education:

Ph.D. degree in biology, ecology, wildlife management or related disciplines. Must possess terminal degree prior to the start of position.

Salary Information:

This is a full-time, exempt post doctoral fellow position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package

This position is term-funded and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references with your application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified.

Review of application materials will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient and viable number of qualified candidates have been identified

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is represented by United Academics (UNAC). http://www.unitedacademics.net/


The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.


UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination


The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.


Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.


If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Abby Dunham, Institute of Arctic Biology HR Coordinator, at adunham3@alaska.edu or (907) 474-7463.

.

Advertised: Alaskan Daylight Time
Applications close:

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend

 

 

 

 

 

UA