Desert Tortoise Conservation Biology Postdoctoral Scholar, UC Riverside
The Center for Conservation Biology at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) is seeking a one-year postdoctoral scholar interested in leading applied conservation biology research on the habitat and threats to the desert tortoise, with the possibility of extension pending funding.
The Postdoctoral scholar will lead research on the impacts of disturbance on the distribution of the species within the Mojave Desert in Southern California. The project activities will be directed to analyze large geospatial datasets on species distribution and movement, vegetation, climate change projections and remotely-sensed data. The scholar focus on key components: analysis of habitat disturbance on desert tortoise, diversity and climate change analyses, translocation analysis and effects of translocation on phenotypic assimilation and variation (habitat modeling). We anticipate multiple publications will be generated as a result of these analyses.
The successful candidate will have earned a PhD in Ecology, Biology or related field. Experience and current expertise in species distribution modeling, skill in data management, and analysis of geospatial and ecological data are essential. The successful candidate should have a demonstrated ability to conduct analyses on existing datasets and communicate results in peer-reviewed journals.
The project is a collaboration of the lab of Dr. Lynn Sweet located at UCR’s Palm Desert Center and the lab of Dr. Cameron Barrows (PI, Emeritus), together with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms. The position is a one-year funded position as a UC Postdoctoral Scholar and the position could be extended to two years pending further funding on related work. We will consider the possibility of remote work for some or all of the project period.
The Center for Conservation Biology, University of California Riverside has a 35-year history of working with multiple stakeholder agencies and landowners in the southern California desert, including the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. We work to integrate field observations and natural history into multiple levels of applied ecological investigation. Our projects span investigations into rare plant distributions, monitoring aeolian communities on long-term study plots, designing community science projects, and working on habitat modeling for endangered and threatened species in the region.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and the names of three current, professional references (include e-mail address and telephone number) to Dr. Sweet via email to lynn.sweet@ucr.edu. Review of applications will commence on April 1, 2022 and proceed until the position is filled.