Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Ecology
Job ID: 45995
OFFICE LOCATION : Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
A LITTLE ABOUT US: The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation
organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all
life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground
solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people
can thrive together. One of our core values is our commitment to
diversity. Therefore, we are committed to a globally diverse and
culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, we use a
collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the
private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org
or follow @nature_press on Twitter. The Nature Conservancy offers
competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible
employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a
collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development
opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a
culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal
development, both within the workplace and beyond.
YOUR POSITION WITH TNC: The Nature Conservancy’s Global Land’s Program
is recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work with an
interdisciplinary team to study the environmental effects of the
changing fraction of animal-sourced food (notably meat and dairy) in
global diets. The project seeks to understand the factors that influence
the amount of meat and dairy we eat, and the consequences for population
health. It will also explore the varying environmental consequences of
different types of livestock production, which will be the main focus of
this Post-doctoral position. An important goal of the project is to
assess the effectiveness of different interventions and that will
include developing models on the effects of different policies and
providing tools for policy makers working in health, agriculture and the
environment. Primary project partners include Oxford University’s Martin
Programme on the Future of Food, the Wellcome Trust Our Planet Our
Health Programme and The Nature Conservancy. Click here for more
information.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Postdoctoral Research Associate will integrate
land use and economic models to evaluate how different economic drivers
affect land conversion, and related outcomes for biodiversity and
ecosystem services. Statistically model the relationship between
increasing animal based diets and global biodiversity metrics to
determine where and under what circumstances changes in diet affects
biodiversity and ecosystem function at a global scale. Within select
geographic regions, examine the trade-offs and thresholds in the
provision of agricultural production and biodiversity using spatial
optimizations techniques. Within this scope, opportunities exist to
develop and explore novel research questions of interest.
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be a full-time employee of The
Nature Conservancy. This is a grant funded position for one year, with
the potential to extend to four years. He/she will be supervised by
Joseph Kiesecker, Lead Scientist, and will interact closely with faculty
at Oxford University (Project Directors Professors Charles Godfray &
Susan Jebb), and TNC staff on the Global Lands Program as well as other
TNC field based staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE:
• Develop landscape-scale models to understand how different
national or local land use policies affect biodiversity and other
ecosystem services.
• Spatially map responses of biodiversity and other
ecosystem services under alternative policy scenarios.
• Integrate detailed spatially-explicit models of agricultural
production, biodiversity, and other ecosystem services to construct
production possibility or efficiency frontiers that will allow the
assessment of efficient combinations of agricultural land and natural
habitat.
• Disseminate research by publishing in peer-reviewed science journals,
producing funder reports, presenting at national and/or international
conferences, and communicating findings within conservation and academic
communities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• A Ph.D. in Ecology, Environmental Science, Geography, or
related fields and 1 year work experience.
• Demonstration of robust analytic and spatial skills.
Strong background in statistical analysis software (R, Matlab, SAS).
Programming background is strongly desired.
• Familiarity with land use and land cover modelling and
projecting future land use and land cover change also strongly desired.
• Background in resource and landscape ecology and economics
(preferred).
• Familiarity with spatial optimization techniques, and
landscape pattern analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with a
proven publication record, in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and the
ability to write technical reports.
• Willingness to work with diverse stakeholders and to
travel internationally if necessary.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Multi-language skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural
experience appreciated.
• Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems software
and Remote Sensing and (ENVI, ERDAS, ArcGIS, QGIS) and related
programming/scripting environments (Python, IDL, EML).
• Experience in agroecosystems and familiarity with related
literature on agriculture and landscape metrics that impact biodiversity
and ecosystem services.
• Willingness to learn new statistical models and software
as needed for research.
• Ability to work effectively with an interdisciplinary team
to meet deadlines.
• Highly motivated and capable of working independently to
complete projects.
• Strong organizational skills.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply to position number 45995, submit resume (required) and cover
letter separately using the upload buttons. All applications must be
submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 15,
2018.
https://careers.nature.org/psp/tnccareers/APPLICANT/APPL/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=45995&PostingSeq=1
Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create
a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications
cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may
result in your application being disqualified from consideration.
If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user
guide or contact [email protected].
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our
commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation
mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and
women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and
mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our
global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all
cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins,
ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military,
protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature
Conservancy’s background screening process.
Joseph Kiesecker PhD
<http://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/pressreleases/media/nature-conservancy-experts-conservation-lands-joe-kiesecker.xml>|
/Lead Scientist/
<http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=3xxvI5gAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao>| The
Nature Conservancy | 970-484-9598 (office); 307-349-2747 (cell) |
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
