Post-doctoral fellowship opportunity in Conservation Biogeography
Organizations: Dept. of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta (UofA
<http://www.rr.ualberta.ca/> REN R)
School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences,
East China Normal University ( <http://english.ecnu.edu.cn/> ECNU)
Position: PDF: post-doctoral fellowship in conservation
biogeography (2~3 yr. position)
Apply By: 15 January, 2018
Start Date: Winter,2017-Spring, 2018
Wage: $52,000 per year (CND)
Description: Applications are being accepted for a PDF position at
the University of Alberta (lab of Dr. Scott Nielsen) in collaboration with
the East China Normal University (lab of Dr. Jian Zhang). The applicant
should have a background in spatial ecology with a focus in the areas of
conservation biology, biodiversity conservation, macroecology, and/or
conservation planning. Research will focus on the following 3 topics: First,
the spatial landscape prioritization of biodiversity indicators for
conservation with an emphasis on landscape restoration planning of boreal
forests. This includes assessing (modeling) time lags in forest recovery and
understanding trade-offs in active versus passive (natural forest
regeneration) restoration strategies across 275,000 km of linear corridors
(seismic lines) created for oil sands exploration in Alberta's boreal
forest. These linear corridors dramatically increase forest fragmentation
and have been shown to be a key threat to endangered woodland caribou.
Second, the research will focus on spatial modeling of conservation offset
strategies using models of biodiversity indicators and limited budgets for
conservation (restoration). This is complementary to the first objective.
Third, the PDF would work on broader topics in conservation biogeography and
macroecology relative to emerging ideas and theories.
Supervisors: Dr. Scott Nielsen ( <http://ace-lab.org/3G/scott.php>
http://ace-lab.org/3G/scott.php)
Dr. Jian Zhang (
<http://faculty.ecnu.edu.cn/s/3492/t/35487/main.jspy>
http://faculty.ecnu.edu.cn/s/3492/t/35487/main.jspy)
Qualifications: PhD in ecology or related field (e.g. biology,
conservation biology, geographic science).
Assets: Skills in statistics, GIS, R; experience in working
in the area of biodiversity conservation and spatial (landscape) modeling;
an understanding of forest dynamics.
Instructions: Please submit a cover letter describing your research
interests, experience, and qualifications for this position, a curriculum
vitae, and contact information for three professional references. Email your
cover letter, CV, and reference information to Dr. Scott Nielsen at
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] and Dr. Jian Zhang at
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected].
