Postdoctoral Position Announcement: Quantitative Ecology A postdoctoral research position is available for a quantitative ecologist/bio-geographer to develop modeling approaches related to the restoration and conservation of dryland communities in Hawaii. We seek a researcher who can combine multiple data sources (current and historical plant community composition and structure, fire fuels, potential fire behavior, ungulate activity and topography) into models directly applicable to the management of these critically endangered plant communities. This position requires very strong statistical, computer programming and spatial analysis skills. In particular, expertise with likelihood-based modeling or Bayesian analysis and the R programming environment are desired. The successful applicant will be part of a larger project that is using a suite of remote sensing and field methods to evaluate the potential for restoration to break the non-native grass/fire cycle in tropical dry forests.
The position will be based at the USDA Forest Service, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry office in Hilo Hawaii. The successful candidate will work closely with project investigators Dr. Susan Cordell (USDA Forest Service, Hilo, HI), Dr. Gregory Asner (Carnegie Institution) and Dr. Jarrod Thaxton (University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez). In addition the candidate will interact with two other postdoctoral researchers, field technicians, graduate students and undergraduate research assistants as part of daily activities related to the project. Responsibilities include model development and analysis, publishing in peer-reviewed journals and outreach with environmental management professionals. Funding is guaranteed for 2 years. A Ph.D. in Ecology, Plant Biology, Conservation Biology, Geography or equivalent is required. Strong quantitative skills are a must. Also, good physical stamina for extended hours of field work under hot and sunny (or cold and rainy) conditions is required. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, statement of research interests that includes your accomplishments and how this position will help you achieve your career objectives, current curriculum vitae, and the names of two references (please include email addresses and phone numbers). Review of applications will begin March 25, 2009 and continue until position is filled. Expected start date is June 1, 2009. For more information on this project please contact Dr. Susan Cordell (contact information listed below). Application materials can be sent either electronically or by mail to: Dr. Susan Cordell, USDA Forest Service, 60 Nowelo Street, Hilo HI (808-933-8121 ext. 128), [email protected].
