Postdoctoral Researcher in Quantitative Conservation Ecology: Climate change adaptation and fire management strategies for at risk species in southern California.
Qualifications: We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in population modeling and a familiarity with species distribution modeling. A PhD is required as well as strong programming and mathematical skills. Experience with issues related to rare Californian taxa and climate change is preferred. The candidate must be able to work both independently and in a collaborative setting including academics, wildlife managers and land use planners. Job Description: The project involves linking dynamic bioclimatic habitat models with models of plant and animal population dynamics to 1) understand the impacts of climate change on species distributions in fire-prone southern California, 2) understand how changes in fire regimes and species distributions will impact a set of vulnerable plants and animals in fire-prone southern California, and 3) to identify potential management responses to climate change in a fire-prone ecosystem. The postdoctoral researcher will be based at University of California Riverside and will work under the direction of Helen Regan and Kurt Anderson (UC Riverside), Janet Franklin (Arizona State University), and Alexandra Syphard (Conservation Biology Institute) and will collaborate with wildlife managers from the US Fish & Wildlife Service and San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). The project will require short trips to Tempe, AZ and San Diego, CA. Model development and analysis will include: 1) parameterization of population models, 2) assessing the risks of different threats on plant populations in the context of climate change, and 3) identifying potential management strategies in consultation with managers and evaluating management strategies to address the impacts of climate change, land-use change and altered fire regimes on vulnerable taxa. The researcher will be expected to prepare results for peer reviewed journals. Appointment: 100% time appointment for one year from start date, with strong possibility for additional year(s) of funding contingent upon performance. Salary is $39,756 a year plus benefits. To apply: Please send your letter of interest, CV, contact information for three references and any inquiries to Helen Regan at [email protected]. Start date is as soon as possible. The position will remain open until filled, but application review will commence on September 6th, 2011. The University of California is an equal opportunity employer. Dr Helen Regan Associate Professor Department of Biology University of California Riverside, CA 92521 USA email: [email protected] phone: +1-951-827-3961 fax: +1-951-827-4286 office #: Speith 3358 Web: www.biology.ucr.edu/people/faculty/Regan.html
