The Morton Arboretum invites applications for a two year postdoctoral researcher to work on an NSF-supported project, "Quantifying biogeographic history: a novel model-based approach to integrating data from genes, fossils, specimens, and environments". The successful applicant will join an international team of researchers in mathematics/ statistics, ecology, biogeography, distribution modeling, and population genetics. The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate with the project team to design, develop and implement novel methods for integrating datasets which have different characteristics and resolution (environmental, paleoecological, and genetic data) to make inference about historical shifts in species ranges and changes in population sizes.
Applicants should have a Ph.D. (or Ph.D. defense scheduled) in a quantitative science (i.e., mathematical biology, statistics, theoretical ecology, or related fields), or in an ecological field plus experience with ecological modeling, species distribution or population modeling, or quantitative ecology. Interest or experience in one or more of the following is beneficial: Bayesian statistics, parameter estimation, data-driven modeling, spatial modeling, state-space modeling, or mathematical modeling. Applicants should be interested in working at the interface of statistics and ecology. Experience in programming is beneficial. The position is for two years, with possibility for continuing support pending future funding. The postdoctoral researcher will be based at The Morton Arboretum and will primarily work with Dr. Sean Hoban, Dr. Andria Dawson (Mount Royal University, Calgary), and Dr. Adam Smith (Missouri Botanical Garden). The position will require some travel for team meetings. All travel expenses are covered by grant funds. The postdoctoral researcher will be provided opportunities for professional development, suited to their interests (e.g. attend scientific meetings, teaching or mentoring, skill training), for which funding is provided. The Morton Arboretum is a world-class plant science research institute and public botanic garden near Chicago, USA, with strengths in ecology, conservation, informatics, and genomics. The Arboretum has collaborations with scientists at the Field Museum, University of Illinois Chicago, two National Laboratories, Brookfield Zoo, and Chicago Botanic Garden. Applications may be submitted until the position is filled; applications received by October 15 are guaranteed consideration. A start date by January 2019 is preferred. Applicants must apply at careers.hireology.com/themortonarboretum/. Inquiries about the position or the application are welcome. Please contact Dr. Sean Hoban (sho...@mortonarb.org), Dr. Adam Smith (adam.sm...@mobot.org), or Dr. Andria Dawson (andria.daw...@gmail.com).
