Postdoctoral Scholar – Urban Plant Biodiversity Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California at Riverside
I am seeking a highly motivated and well prepared Postdoctoral Scholar to conduct research investigating causes and consequences of variation in urban plant biodiversity. The research will be directed at both at the scale of an individual city with research of/in Los Angeles, CA, one of the world’s most biologically diverse cities, and at a continental scale with research across a network six regions in the United States. Research activities will use a combination of multiple approaches including collection of new data through team-based field and lab sampling and analyses of existing data from field surveys of species and leaf traits, remote imagery, and in-situ sensor data. Research activities include engagement with citizen science approaches through a recently launched partnership with Earthwatch Institute. Outcomes of the research will inform theories of urban plant biodiversity assembly and will have applications for assessing urban vegetation strategies that maximize ecosystem services while reducing resource, particularly water, requirements. The successful candidate will need excellent preparation in community, ecosystem, physiological, landscape ecology or related field. Candidates with experience in urban ecology, remote sensing, citizen science or programming are particularly encouraged to apply. Interest or experience in coupling biodiversity data to process models is welcome. Excellent written and oral skills are required for communication with diverse scientific, manager, and public audiences. The position is based at University of California at Riverside, CA. Salary and benefits are competitive and based on experience. The position is for 1 year, renewable for a second year. Inquiries and applications should be sent as a single PDF containing a cover letter with qualifications and research interests, CV, and contact information for three references to Dr. Darrel Jenerette ([email protected]). Initial review of candidates will begin April 18, 2016 and is open immediately.
