Ecologist (Postdoctoral Research Fellow), IS-0408-09

About the role

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute seeks a postdoctoral researcher to lead the development of next-generation landscape connectivity science.

Responsibilities

• Use available environmental and biodiversity data to forecast how land use/land cover change, human impacts, resource availability, and projected climate change impact structural and functional connectivity across New Jersey and beyond.
• Create an ecological framework for analyses that can be replicated across other states throughout the region.
• Develop research objectives that fit in with the project.
• Serve as a consultant and advisor on professional matters in their area of expertise to colleagues, Federal agencies, institutions, organizations, and the general public.
• Aid in guiding and teaching students and technicians working on one or more research projects.
• Train staff members, interns, fellows, students, and visiting scholars in the theory and practical use of specialized equipment as appropriate.
• Assist in preparing and submitting grant proposals.
• Review research proposals, manuscripts, and publications as requested by scientific colleagues and outside institutions.
• Lectures to professional associations and other organizations.
• Attend and participate in national and international scientific conferences, seminars, and societies.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in biology or a related field of science underlying ecological research that involved at least 30 semester hours of coursework in basic and applied biological sciences, including at least 9 semester hours in ecology, and 12 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences.
• Expertise and experience in advanced spatial analysis, with expertise in incorporating remote sensing variables in analytical frameworks.
• Demonstrated expertise in connectivity modeling, inclusive of least-cost path and/or circuit theory frameworks (e.g., Circuitscape, Omniscape).
• Experience manipulating raster datasets, with a background performing supervised land-cover classifications.
• Experience designing, organizing, and managing field work.
• Experience collaborating across institutions to jointly pursue research topics relevant to both academic and applied audiences.

Benefits

The Smithsonian offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision insurance, life insurance, transit/commuter benefits, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, annual and sick leave, family friendly leave, 403(b) retirement plan, discounts for Smithsonian memberships, museum stores and restaurants, credit union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (child care), flexible spending account (health & dependent care).