Job Type: On-site, postdoc
Location: Tall Timbers - Tallahassee, Florida
Pay: $65,000/year (negotiable if housing needed)
Application Deadline: February 22, 2026 (or until filled)
Tall Timbers is recruiting a Post-Doctoral Research Scientist to investigate the patterns and
mechanisms of post-fire tree mortality and fire-vegetation feedbacks in forests, savannas, and grasslands. The incumbent will work with a team including researchers and fire managers with expertise in multiple fire-prone ecosystems. The incumbent will be encouraged to lead independent research related to the broader goals of the team. The position is funded for 18 months, with additional support possible beyond that based on performance and funding availability.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The candidate will primarily be responsible for designing experiments, collecting data, measuring vegetation and wildland fires, analyzing and modeling data, and writing manuscripts for relevant projects. The position may include other activities, including grant proposal writing, supervision of technician(s) and intern(s), project data management, and other analyses. Collaboration with Tall Timbers research and management staff and other partners is critical for the success of the project.
Minimum Qualifications
A completed Ph.D. degree (ABD- all but dissertation- acceptable) in either forestry, plant ecology, plant physiology, geospatial analysis, fire behavior, climatology, or a related field is required. Candidate should be highly motivated with the ability to work independently. The successful candidate should have skills in two or more of the following: statistical analyses, vegetation analyses, measuring field and laboratory fire behavior, micrometeorology, geospatial analysis, and scientific writing. Valid state driver’s license required.
Preferred Qualifications
Ph.D. in aforementioned fields of study. The candidate should have experience designing and implementing laboratory experiments, as evidenced by publication in peer-reviewed outlets. A strong understanding of fire and savanna or forest ecology of eastern US fire-prone ecosystems or similar is preferred, though not required. Experience with multivariate statistical analyses and familiarity with state-and-transition models is preferred.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Ability to perform routine office, field, and some laboratory work in inclement weather and under strenuous conditions in southern climates throughout the calendar year, including occasional long hours and weekends for field campaigns.
Workplace Environment:
Tall Timbers is committed as equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or hate toward any race, ethnicity, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, national origin, veteran status, socioeconomic class, religion, or professional status. We strongly encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups and those that add to and engage the local communities of the region.
Instructions for Applying
Applications should include (in a single PDF): 1) a letter of interest that includes educational and experiential preparation and 2) a current CV. All applications should be emailed to Dr. Morgan Varner (mvarner@talltimbers.org) and Erin Wachter (ewachter@talltimbers.org).
Contact
J. Morgan Varner, Director of Research & Senior Scientist Contact Email: mvarner@talltimbers.org
Applications Reviewed: February 22, 2026 or until a suitable candidate can be found
Position Start Date: Winter/Spring 2026 (negotiable)
Salary: $65,000 (negotiable if housing needed)
Work Location: The position will be based at the main campus of Tall Timbers in Tallahassee, Florida (www.talltimbers.org). Tallahassee is a vibrant community in the Red Hills region, notable for its education (Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee State College), conservation and recreation opportunities, and is the state capital of Florida.
