The UCLA La Kretz Center for California Conservation Science (http://www.environment.ucla.edu/lakretz/) invites applications for its 2016 Postdoctoral Fellowship in California Conservation Science. Consistent with our mission, we seek a postdoctoral scholar who simultaneously conducts innovative research and interfaces with the conservation and management agencies that direct and lead California conservation. Our emphasis is on biological conservation, and the successful candidate could work in any discipline that provides the scientific underpinnings for the preservation, protection, management, or restoration of at-risk species, environments, or ecological communities in California. We will consider candidates who have recently completed their PhD, or will have completed it by August 2016. We envision hiring at least one Fellow each year, building a team of conservation scientists with a passion for California and its biodiversity.
The La Kretz Fellowship is for two years, subject to review after the first year. Our expected start date is late summer, 2016. The successful applicant will be expected to conduct research that bridges the interests of at least one UCLA faculty member who is also a La Kretz affiliate (http://www.environment.ucla.edu/lakretz/people/affiliates.asp) with priority science concerns of resource management agencies (broadly defined) in California. We also anticipate that the Fellow will also work with Brad Shaffer, Director of the La Kretz Center, to help develop collaborative research projects that further the mission of the Center. The position has an annual salary of approximately $42,000 plus full benefits and modest research support (approximately $5,000/year). Fellow have the option to reside at the newly renovated La Kretz Field Station (http://www.environment.ucla.edu/lakretz/fieldstation/), located in the Santa Monica Mountains about 25 miles from campus, should it fit with their research objectives. Several of our partner agencies have expressed interest in potential join funding for candidates and projects, should such funding be available. Joint funding is neither necessary nor guaranteed, but we encourage candidates to contact relevant partner agencies to explore such options as they develop their proposals. In support of such co- funding opportunities, our partners listed below have expressed interest in co-funding a La Kretz Center fellow : Institution or Agency Name Email The Nature Conservancy Sophie Parker [email protected] LA Natural History Museum Luis Chiappe [email protected] U.S. Geological Survey Robert Fisher [email protected] US Bureau of Land Management Mike Westphal [email protected] US Fish and Wildlife Service Cat Darst [email protected] Tejon Ranch Conservancy Mike White [email protected] Nature Reserve of Orange County Milan Mitrovich [email protected] National Park Service Katy Delaney [email protected] National Park Service Seth Riley [email protected] Department of Defense Robert Lovich [email protected] Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, a short (1-2 page) description of their research and management accomplishments, a 2 page proposal (single spaced, plus references) description of their proposed research including potential faculty and agency mentor(s), and copies of two publications, all as a single PDF file, by email to Mario Colon, Administrative Assistant, at [email protected]. You should also have three letters of recommendation, including one from your Ph.D. advisor, sent under separate emails with the subject line “La Kretz Postdoc letter for XXX (your last name)”. The deadline for completed applications is 4 January 2016. E-mail questions to Mario or to Brad Shaffer (Director of the La Kretz Center) at [email protected].
