POSITION AVAILABLE: POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE AT UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
Wildlife Consequences of Biofuel Production in Wisconsin Landscapes OVERVIEW. A 2-yr position is available in the Zoology Department, University of Wisconsin-Madison, for a postdoctoral associate to join a collaborative project funded by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to explore potential landscape-level impacts of expanding biofuels production on wildlife in southern Wisconsin. Although demand for biomass-based energy is increasing, little is known about the potential ecological consequences of large-scale transformation of current agricultural ecosystems to accommodate increased biofuels production. This research project will focus on wildlife and use plausible future land use/land cover scenarios based on potential biomass markets to model the future habitat of grassland wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The postdoctoral associate will be based in the laboratory of Dr. Monica G. Turner, whose research group focuses on diverse projects in landscape and ecosystem ecology, and will collaborate closely with researchers in the Agricultural Ecosystems Research Group at UW-Madison and the DNR project leader, David W. Sample. The postdoctoral associate will develop quantitative habitat suitability models for grassland wildlife species; develop and test hypotheses about species-environment associations in the agricultural landscape; assess tradeoffs among different species and among competing resource demands; identify landscape configurations that may sustain wildlife populations while producing biomass for bioenergy production; and communicate research orally and through peer-reviewed journal articles. Some empirical study within the region may also be possible. For information about the Agricultural Ecosystems Research Group, please see: http://forestandwildlifeecology.wisc.edu/ag-ecosystems.htm. For information about the Turner lab, please visit: http://landscape.zoology.wisc.edu/. QUALIFICATIONS. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in ecology, conservation biology, wildlife ecology or a related field prior to appointment. Candidates should have experience with landscape ecology, GIS and spatial analysis, wildlife population and/or community studies, and habitat modeling. Strong quantitative skills, knowledge of agricultural ecosystems, and experience with terrestrial vertebrates, especially grassland avian communities, are assets. We especially encourage applications from outstanding candidates who work well in a collaborative setting and have excellent communication and writing skills. The desired starting date is September 1, 2010 or other mutually agreeable date. TO APPLY. Candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, one-page statement of research interests, and the names and contact information for three references. For full consideration, please apply by July 15, 2010; position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. Application packages (emailed as a single PDF file) should be sent electronically to Dr. Monica G. Turner ([email protected]). The University of WisconsinMadison is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to enhancing the diversity and quality of its faculty, staff and student body. Women and minority candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
