Job Type: On-site, full-time
Location: Seattle, WA
Salary: $78,000/year
Application Deadline: August 31, 2025
Description:
The Harvey Lab in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington is searching for a full-time (100% FTE) post-doctoral researcher with topical expertise in forest ecology, disturbance ecology, and landscape ecology, and methodological expertise in harmonizing distinct databases (e.g., forest inventory, remote sensing, land cover), GIS, and R-based (or similar) data analysis. The candidate will work closely with an international team led by Dr. Kristin Braziunas and Prof. Brian J. Harvey at the University of Washington and Dr. Judit Lecina-Diaz at the Technical University of Munich and the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications, as well as a broad network of collaborators including Federal, state, Tribal, and NGO partners across the Western United States. The candidate will contribute to innovative research quantifying the risk of losing key forest ecosystem services (e.g., timber production, carbon storage, recreation, soil erosion control) due to multiple interacting disturbances such as wildfires, drought, and insect outbreaks. The researcher will apply and adapt a spatially explicit multi-hazard risk assessment framework developed by project partners in Europe to Western U.S. landscapes. This position will involve collaboration with a variety of stakeholders to co-develop risk indicators, build spatial datasets, generate risk maps, and evaluate how forest management strategies can mitigate multi-hazard risks. The postdoc will also support project workshops, scientific communication, and the development of management guidelines based on risk modeling outcomes.
This position is for an initial full-time, 12-month appointment, with the possibility for renewal for additional year(s), and the anticipated start date is October 1, 2025.
Responsibilities and opportunities for professional development:
The postdoctoral researcher will play a leading role in the development and implementation of a multi-hazard risk assessment for forest ecosystem services in the Western U.S., with a strong focus on co-production with land managers, scientists, and other stakeholders. The position offers opportunities for high-impact research, interdisciplinary collaboration, applied science that informs management and policy, and travel to Europe to work with project partners.
Key responsibilities include:
Coordinating and leading meetings with research collaborators and stakeholders to identify, select, and apply risk indicators for forest ecosystem services and disturbances in Western U.S.
Gathering, processing, and harmonizing large, spatially explicit datasets (e.g., forest inventory, remote sensing, climate data) across Washington, Oregon, and/or California.
Conducting advanced spatial and statistical analyses using methods implemented in R or similar programming environments.
Leading and contributing to the preparation of scientific publications.
Developing and delivering risk maps, including visualizations and written guidance to support forest management strategies under changing disturbance regimes.
Supporting dissemination and outreach in coordination with project partners and stakeholders.
Active participation in collaborative lab and project meetings, stakeholder workshops, including conference travel.
Close coordination with other postdocs and graduate students working across aligned projects in the Harvey Lab and with external partners.
Opportunities for professional development include (but are not limited to):
Engaging in research about forest disturbance and landscape ecology, with mentorship from a diverse team of scientists at UW, the U.S. Forest Service, Technical University of Munich, and Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications.
Building skills in stakeholder engagement and science co-production through coordination of workshops and meetings.
Leading and contributing to high-impact, peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and outreach materials aimed at scientific, management, and public audiences.
Presenting research at national and international conferences and stakeholder events to increase visibility and networking opportunities.
Reach out to Kristin Kristin Braziunas at kbraziun@uw.edu with any questions about the position.
