A postdoctoral fellowship is available in the Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development (CCSD) of the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) to study how climate change might alter the distribution and abundance of plant species in the Midwestern US, in particular to try to understand how life-histories, plant traits, and phylogenic history influence potential changes in plant species distributions. The post holder will be expected to take a leadership role in implementing species distribution models (SDMs) to understand potential changes in plant species distributions under different dispersal and climate change scenarios, in assessing the extinction risk of plants species that are of conservation concern, and in conducting field transplant experiments to understand how biotic and abiotic factors influence the colonization potential of migrant species in the Midwest. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop independent research projects related to climate change effects on phenology, species distributions, and population dynamics.
Applicants should have excellent writing and communications skills as well as an eagerness to produce and publish scientific results. Candidates should have a strong background in one or more of the following fields: ecology, evolution, or related fields by the start date. The Postdoctoral fellow will be based in St. Louis where a vibrant community of systematists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists interact through partnerships among MBG, Washington University, University of Missouri-St. Louis and Saint Louis University. Funding for this position is available for one year with renewal up to three years contingent upon satisfactory annual review. The starting range is anticipated to be between $30,000-$34,000, commensurate with experience. Missouri Botanical Garden offers a comprehensive benefits package. To be considered, apply on-line at http://www.mobot.org/jobs/mbgjobs.asp#J062, and submit a brief statement of research interests, a CV, copies of relevant publications or manuscripts, and three letters of recommendation from people familiar with their research to [email protected] before December 15, 2010.
