Deadline: Wed, 06/15/2022 - 12:00pm Employer: Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Job Field: Forestry Job Type: Full Time Location: Indiana Location Detail: West Lafayette, IN Job Description: The Saunders Silviculture and Fire Ecology lab in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources in West Lafayette, Indiana, is seeking applicants for postdoctoral scientist starting in summer or fall 2022. This position is funded for two years through the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station, the Department of Defense, and the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center. Additional tenure in the position is conditional on successful grantsmanship. The successful candidate will be involved in data collection, data analysis and writing for several projects being led or assisted by the Saunders lab. These include fire effects on regeneration and wildlife populations at the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment (HEE; www.heeforeststudy.org), a large multidisciplinary research project examining the relationship of silvicultural practices to changes in plant and animal species within forests across Indiana, and at the Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division (NSWC-Crane), a long-term silviculture trial using expanding group shelterwoods and prescribed fire to regenerate oak and increase structural complexity of Central Hardwood oak forests. The incumbent would also assist in data analysis and writing for several studies on National Forests in the Central Hardwood Region including regeneration and understory response to shelterwood and prescribed fire treatments on the Hoosier National Forest, and a regional cost-benefit analysis of prescribed fire as applied to oak-dominated forests for regeneration purposes. Opportunities will exist to gain teaching and extension experience, if desired, and to develop independent research projects related to the aforementioned research projects. Qualifications: - Ph.D. in Forest Science, Fire Ecology or closely-related field - Field work experience, preferably in a research setting. The individual should be comfortable with collecting field data in adverse environmental conditions typical of southern Indiana. - Strong oral and written communication skills - Strong analytic skills including knowledge of experimental design, ordination, and mixed-effects models - Demonstrated technical and scientific writing (i.e., journal articles, technical reports or manuscripts) - A desire to be team player and mentor to junior staff in the lab Miscellaneous: Start date (negotiable) is August 1, 2022. The position will be based on the West Lafayette campus of Purdue University. The individual will need to possess or quickly obtain a valid driver's license and have a good driving record. The successful candidate will be subject to a background check prior to official acceptance. ------------ The Saunders lab acknowledges that Purdue University is built upon and near the ancestral homelands of the Indigenous People. We honor and appreciate the Bodawadmik (Potawatomi), Lenape (Delaware), Myaamia (Miami), and Shawnee People who are the original Indigenous caretakers of this land. Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer, fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Salary: $47,500 - 55,000/yr, depending on experience and qualifications Benefits: Subsidized insurance plan with health and dental. How to Apply: To apply, please provide 1) a cover letter, 2) CV/resume detailing academic training and experience, 3) a sample of technical or scientific writing in which you were a lead author, and 4) a list of three references with contact information (emails and phone numbers). Please send application materials via email to Mike Saunders, Associate Professor of Hardwood Silviculture, msaunder@purdue.edu, 765-430-1440. Feel free to email or call with questions regarding the position.
