JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Postdoctoral researcher in applied fire and vegetation 
science, USDA Forest Service and UC-Davis

We will be hiring a postdoc in fire and vegetation ecology for a one to 
two year period, beginning in August or September, 2014. The position has 
two main duties:

1.      Approximately 60-70% of the job will involve research in important 
management-related topics in applied fire and ecosystem science in 
California, with a focus on the Sierra Nevada and neighboring forested 
regions. The position will work closely with the position supervisor to 
identify pressing research needs and carry out novel, cutting-edge 
projects that answer important scientific questions with direct 
application to management of fire, fuels, and vegetation.  
2.      Approximately 30-40% of the job will be serving as technical 
coordinator for the Sierra Nevada section of the California Fire Science 
Consortium (CFSC). CFSC is a Joint Fire Science Program-supported 
interagency organization whose purpose is to provide fire science support 
to fire and fuels management in California. See http://cafiresci.org/ for 
background. This position works directly for the Sierra Nevada section 
leader and carries out most of the day-to-day operations of the section, 
including organizing and implementing field trips, workshops, lectures, 
and webinars; writing and editing fire science briefs; coordinating with 
the state CFSC leadership and the other sections; semi-annual and annual 
reporting; and interacting with the section’s steering committee.  

Necessary skills include: strong interpersonal skills and leadership 
qualities; demonstrated abilities in both teamwork and independent work; 
interest in science education and applying science to management-related 
questions; strong background in ecological science, especially in fire and 
vegetation ecology; experience in geospatial analysis and complex 
statistics; familiarity with federal resource and fire management agency 
practices and policies.

Starting salary is $45,000-$48,000, subject to the candidate’s 
qualifications. Duty station is the Department of Environmental Science 
and Policy, University of California, Davis. UC-Davis is one of the top 
ecological research institutions in the world, and there will be many 
opportunities for collaboration and networking with world-class scientists 
as well as with multiple federal and state management agencies, NGOs and 
industry groups. The position must be prepared to travel periodically, 
sometimes for multiple days; travel funds are provided.

If you are qualified and interested, please send your CV, the names and 
contact info of three references, and a statement of interest, including a 
summary of your skills and background, to:

Dr. Hugh Safford
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, and Department of 
Environmental Science and Policy, UC-Davis
[email protected]
707-562-8934

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