Forest Futures Lab

Opportunities

 

Current Opportunities

 

Postdoctoral Researchers

I am excited to collaborate with postdoctoral researchers. If advertised positions are available, they will appear below. However, there are many external postdoctoral fellowships that could facilitate working together. Examples include the Smith Postdoctoral Fellowship, NSF Postdoctoral Fellowships, and SESYNC Fellowships. If interested, please contact me with ideas and we can chat. 

Seeking Postdoctoral Associate - September 2026

Details:

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies seeks a collaborative, synthetic postdoctoral associate to join the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative and the Forest Futures Lab. The Fire Collaborative includes 12 science teams and a team of boundary spanners working together to advance predictive science in fire ecology and ecosystem resilience in ways that are actionable for western US land managers. The postdoctoral associate will integrate geospatial and climate data to determine relationships among climate, fire, and vegetation growth across western US grasslands and shrublands and further develop an existing simulation model to represent these processes. This role offers leadership opportunities and the freedom to pursue independent research within a supportive and nurturing lab environment.

Location:

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Preferred location is Millbrook, NY, but hybrid/remote work will be considered for exceptional candidates​


Essential Responsibilities:

  • Present research findings in peer-reviewed papers, at scientific meetings, and in other forums.

  • Work with colleagues in the Fire Collaborative to develop, lead, and implement independent research that enhances fire ecology and ecosystem resilience strategies.

  • Leverage climate and geospatial data in AI or statistical analytical frameworks to characterize relationships among climate, fire, and vegetation.

  • Develop a grass and shrub module for an existing process-based simulation model.

  • Engage with Collaborative boundary spanners, scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to ensure research findings effectively inform fire and forest management strategies.

  • Contribute to a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment at the Cary Institute.​

Required Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in grassland/range ecology, climate science, disturbance ecology, or a related field prior to appointment.

  • Demonstrated expertise in broad-scale geospatial analysis of non-forested western US ecosystems, process-based vegetation modeling, and/or coupled climate-vegetation-fire analyses.

  • Strong quantitative and analytical skills, particularly with process-based simulation and AI-based analyses.

  • Ability to work independently.

  • Strong written and oral communication skills.

  • Proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python, Java script.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated research experience addressing-fire science questions in west Texas and/or the Great Plains states.

  • Past postdoctoral experience.

  • Proven record of successful collaboration in team-science environments.


Compensation:

This is a full-time, fully benefitted exempt position with a one-year initial appointment, renewable for an additional year contingent on performance and funding. Annual salary ranges from $74,263 - $85,000, based on postdoctoral experience, with a highly competitive benefits and time-off package. The anticipated start date is on or around January 4th, 2027.


To Apply:

Please apply on the Careers page of Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies website. 

Graduate Students

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies is not a degree granting institution. However, many opportunities exist to conduct research in the lab. For graduate students, I am excited to work with you on your graduate research if our interests overlap. Please get in contact if you have ideas.