We are accepting applications for a postdoctoral research associate in fire and plant community ecology to be based at the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab, which is part of the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, with Drs. Kim Davis and Sharon Hood.
This is a full-time position funded for two years. Preferred start date is May 15, but is flexible. This position is based in Missoula, MT.
The postdoctoral fellow will collaborate on a project to determine how understory plant communities, especially non-native species, are responding to mechanical fuel reduction treatments and prescribed fire. Many of the ecosystems in the western US are dependent on fire, but climate change in combination with a century of fire suppression, suppression of Indigenous burning, and other management practices have increased the intensity with which fires are burning in some areas. Consequently, reducing fuel hazard is a critical need in many areas and has been identified by the Forest Service as one of the top four threats to National Forests. Invasive species are also included as one of the top four threats. This 2-year project will develop and test a fire effects monitoring program starting with potential fuel treatment projects on Northern Region National Forests. The post-doctoral fellow will conduct research and assist in research design, field data collection, data analysis, and manuscript preparation of monitoring protocols and results. The post-doctoral fellow will coordinate closely with National Forest System personnel for site selection and feedback.
We will start reviewing applications on April 7.
For more information and to apply visit: https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/USDA-USFS-2023-0090. Contact Kim Davis at Kimberley.davis@usda.gov with questions.
