Post Doctoral Fellow - Ecology of Boreal Forests

Join the University of Alaska Fairbanks and contribute to groundbreaking research on the ecological impacts of wildfires in boreal forests. This post-doctoral position, based in Fairbanks with the possibility of working remotely, focuses on synthesizing long-term ecological data as part of the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research (BNZ-LTER) program. Collaborate with leading experts in ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, and disturbance ecology to explore alternate successional trajectories and their implications in a changing climate. This role offers professional growth, interdisciplinary teamwork, and the chance to publish impactful research. Apply now to make a difference in understanding Alaska’s boreal forest ecosystems!

The University of Alaska invites applications for a one-year post-doctoral researcher with the option to extend for an additional year in boreal forest ecology. This is a fixed-term position working with the Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research (BNZ-LTER) program located in Fairbanks, Alaska.

We are hiring a post-doctoral research fellow (PDF) to work collaboratively on data synthesis with the Wildfire Working Group of the BNZ-LTER program (https://www.lter.uaf.edu/). Dr. Xanthe Walker leads the Wildfire Working Group and Dr. Michelle Mack is the lead PI of the BNZ -LTER. This position focuses on data synthesis to advance understanding of the ecosystem impacts of alternate successional trajectories following wildfires in the boreal forest. The PDF will work as a member of the BNZ-LTER team to synthesize field data from long-term forest inventory data in interior Alaska. Data sources include field-based surveys of stand structure and growth, understory vegetation, and litterfall, as well as lab-based data on soil composition, foliar nutrients, and decomposition rates. The post-doctoral researcher will aim to integrate these datasets to assess the ecosystem consequences of alternate successional trajectories (deciduous-dominated versus spruce-dominated) in boreal forests. This research will support the BNZ-LTER’s efforts to understand the impacts of ongoing changes in climate and disturbance in Alaska and other boreal regions.

Duties: The 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 approaches.

The position allows for multiple professional development opportunities, including joining a team of investigators from multiple academic institutions focused on boreal forest ecology and long-term ecological research, working closely with experts in ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, disturbance ecology, and statistical analyses, and engaging with ongoing field investigations.

The Post Doctoral Researcher will be based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. On-Campus with the flexibility of working remotely upon supervisor approval. 

Strong background in ecological science as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications.

Familiarity with boreal forest systems is preferred but not required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biology, ecology, forestry, ecoinformatics, or related disciplines. Must possess a terminal degree before the start of the position.
• Knowledge of data science, including statistical analyses
• Demonstrated knowledge of forest ecology
• 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
• Strong background in ecological science, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications
• Familiarity with boreal forest systems is preferred but not required.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Fairbanks campus in Alaska, and flexible work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. This is a  full-time, exempt post doctoral faculty position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. The starting salary will be based on education and experience.

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

If you have any questions regarding the research and work, please get in touch with Mario Muscarella at memuscarella@alaska.edu.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Ruth Dinardi, IAB HR Manager, at rsdinardirosado@alaska.edu or 907 474 6466.

*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.

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.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

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.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.