Post Doctoral Research Associate - Suburban Wildlife at University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Job no: 523980

Work type: Post Doc (Amherst Only)

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Environmental Conservation

Union: Post Doc

Categories: Postdoctoral Research Associate, College of Natural Sciences

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Tammy Wilson's lab at UMass Amherst has an immediate opening for a Spatial Ecologist. The incumbent will conduct research examining the effects of roads and human settlement on the habitat use and movement of bears, moose, and deer. The incumbent will have good communication skills and aid with building partnerships with state agencies and contractors. They will have strong quantitative and GIS skills and will be familiar with habitat selection functions, movement models, and/or hot spot analysis. They will organize and analyze spatial data from a variety of sources, including telemetry data, tagged camera trap data, spatial data obtained from partner agencies. Some field work maintaining remote cameras may also be required.

Essential Functions

Collect and organize spatial data.

Work with agency partners and contractors to design research and data analysis products that are useful for managers.

Analyze data and prepare manuscripts for publication.

Conduct some fieldwork Massachusetts.

Work with graduate students and mentor them in data analysis.

Conduct regular meetings and/or video calls to update and collaborate with agency partners.

Contribute to grant writing and research development.

Other Functions

Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.

Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean's strategic priorities. This can be remote.

Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Must possess a PhD in Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Geography, or related applied field at the time of application.

Must possess and maintain an active driver's license, and be willing/able to drive a government vehicle.

Must have relevant experience and demonstrate a deep understanding of using GIS and analyzing spatial data.

Experience maintaining and working with large datasets.

Ability to construct and run complex models in ArcGIS, R and/or JAGS, and apply them to analyze animal habitat selection, movement, or hotspot analysis.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

Strong publication record is strongly preferred.

Previous experience programming with Python.

Previous experience conducting field work in remote settings.

Previous experience working with agency partners.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Year-round field work requires the ability to hike off trail in rugged mountainous terrain for up to 10 miles in hot and/or cold conditions.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm, can be adjusted as requested.


• 40 hours per week.

Salary Information

• Salary range: $63,000 - $72,000 per year D.O.E.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Jul 22 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Oct 27 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

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