Postdoctoral Fellow in Spatial Capture-Recapture and Landscape Genetic Connectivity of Georgia Black Bear Population
| Location: Athens, GA Salary: $60,000 per year plus benefits Start date: flexible, Fall 2024 preferred but no later than Jan 1, 2025 Duration: 2 years Last date to apply: Sept 1, 2024 We seek a postdoctoral researcher in spatial capture-recapture and landscape genetic connectivity to work in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia. This is a 2-year position funded by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Resources Division (GADNR) through a grant with the Warnell School to estimate population abundance, genetic variation, and landscape connectivity of black bears in central Georgia. The successful candidate will work closely with Drs. Chandler, Chamberlain, and Bothwell, graduate students, and GADNR wildlife professionals to develop robust estimates of bear abundance in the most isolated and least abundant bear population in Georgia. Furthermore, the successful candidate will assess levels of genetic diversity and landscape genetic connectivity across all black bear populations in Georgia and northern Florida to better understand the impact of continued habitat fragmentation on bear dispersal patterns across the Southeast. The position also includes opportunities for engagement with researchers across the University of Georgia campus, other institutions more broadly involved with bear work across the region, and the option of participating in mentoring of graduate students. The position will ideally be located in Athens, GA on the campus of the University of Georgia, but fully remote work will be considered for exceptional candidates within the U.S. This is a full-time postdoctoral research position with a competitive salary, and full benefits (paid holidays, paid sick leave, health benefits, and employer retirement contributions). The successful candidate will also be supported with travel funds to present research findings at meetings and scientific conferences. The ideal candidate with have fluency in English, excellent oral and written communication skills, experience with R, spatial and ecological modeling, and basic familiarity with population genetics. A Ph.D. in Ecology, Wildlife Ecology, Biology or a closely related discipline with a strong quantitative background is required. To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts, a publication or writing sample, and contact information for 3 references in a single pdf document to Dr. Michael Chamberlain ([email protected]), Dr. Richard Chandler ([email protected]), and Dr. Helen Bothwell ([email protected]), and include ‘Black Bear Post-doc’ in the Subject line. |