The Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is offering a 2-year postdoctoral position in climate change science and avian ecology.
Project Overview: The project will focus on quantifying and predicting geographic shifts in wintering bird distributions in relation to a changing climate. Relevant areas of research include species distribution modeling, spatial synchrony, and geographic range changes. The primary objectives for this post-doctoral position are to: 1) develop novel lines of research on how bird species respond to climate change at multiple spatiotemporal scales, 2) integrate regional climate and meteorological data sets with citizen science data sets of avian abundance and occurrence; 2) quantify spatiotemporal variability in bird populations as a function of meteorological conditions; 3) predict population-level responses to climate change and evaluate the implications for adaptive management. Qualifications: The candidate should have a strong background in avian ecology, spatial statistics, database management, and landscape ecology. Minimum requirements include: 1) a Ph.D. in ecology or related quantitative field by the start date; 2) knowledge of principles and methods of wildlife dynamics and species distributions; 3) demonstrated proficiency in R statistical programming; 4) demonstrated desire and proficiency to publish in the peer-reviewed literature. The successful candidate should have excellent written and personal communication skills and be able to work collaboratively. Project duties: The appointee will function as an organizing force behind developing research questions, conducting analyses, and the preparation of manuscripts. The appointee should be comfortable in working as part of a developing lab and a collaborative research team. Additional responsibilities will include scheduling regular meetings with the other members of the research lab, identifying possible collaborators, preparing collaborative grant proposals, and managing GIS databases. Information on University, Department, Lab, and City: The University of Wisconsin-Madison is one of the major research universities in the United States. UW-Madison has a long history of excellence in ecology, conservation biology, and remote sensing science. This project will be supported in the in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology and under the supervision of Dr. Benjamin Zuckerberg ( http://labs.russell.wisc.edu/zuckerberg/). Madison, Wisconsin consistently ranks as one of the best places in the United States to live, work, and study. It is Wisconsin's capital city, with a vibrant population of approximately 230,000 that combines small town charm with a nice variety of leisure and cultural opportunities. Start date: Flexible but should be able to start no later than September 2012. Application Process: Candidates should send a well-crafted cover letter summarizing their research interests, CV, and contact information for three references. All applications (e-mailed as a single PDF file) should be sent to [email protected]. Review of applicants will begin immediately; position will remain open until suitable candidates are found. For further information, contact: Benjamin Zuckerberg ([email protected])
