Postdoctoral Researcher (Fire spread modeling)

Mission

Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) conducts science for solutions at the nexus of climate, people, and nature. We partner with leaders and communities for just meaningful impact to address the climate crisis.

SUMMARY

Woodwell Climate seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead fire spread modeling as part of a large multi-institutional project focused on the potential for fire management to protect carbon and permafrost in Alaska and Canada.

Responsibilities

• Survey available stochastic, physics-informed, and AI-based fire spread models
• Develop (as needed), parameterize, and apply a fire spread model to focal geographies in Interior Alaska and the Northwest Territories, Canada
• Work with the Permafrost Pathways modeling team to couple the landscape fire spread model to a process-based ecosystem model
• Collaborate with project staff and partners on stakeholder and rightsholder engagement to co-develop modeling scenarios
• Conduct and analyze model simulations
• Collaborate with project partners to estimate carbon cost-effectiveness metrics based on model simulations
• Participate in the Google.org AI Collaborative on Wildfires and other multi-institutional collaborative opportunities
• Independently execute a variety of complex research procedures
• Schedule own work and lead implementation
• Lead manuscript preparation and publication
• Present results at relevant meetings, convenings and conferences

Must Have Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of wildfires, arctic-boreal ecosystems, carbon cycling, and fire management
• Experience developing and/or applying landscape fire spread models
• Demonstrated ability to develop and apply research techniques to complex problems
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a highly collaborative team
• Ability to work across disciplines and engage with right shareholders and stakeholders outside the academic community
• Demonstrated record of publication in scientific journals
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to travel up to 10% annually

Qualifications

• Ph.D. (granted or expected soon) in Environmental Sciences, Earth System Science, Ecology, Geography, or a related discipline

Work Environment

The functions of this role are conducted indoors.

Hours of Work

• This role is paid on a salary basis.
• Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek. However, this is a salaried position. Therefore, the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position.

Application Review

Application review will begin on June 15, 2026.

Desired Start Date

August 2026

Fixed-term

2 years

Classification and Compensation

• This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position, the annual salary range starting at $71k + dependent on qualifications/experience.
• Woodwell offers a generous benefits package and work life balance.

Location

Falmouth, Massachusetts, hybrid or remote.

Application Instructions

To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae as a single PDF to our career’s portal.

Please visit Woodwell's website to learn more about Woodwell’s work.