A postdoctoral research associate position in fire ecology is available at Western Colorado University. Research will examine the causes and consequences of extreme wildfire events in North America, primarily using remote sensing and climate data. The position will be funded by the US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station and USGS Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center.
Up to three years of funding will be available. Application review will begin in July.
Duties
The postdoctoral research associate will analyze satellite detections of wildfire activity, burn severity, landscape factors, and gridded climate data to gain new insight into the causes and consequences of extreme fire spread events in North America. Applications to regional land management will also be explored in consultation with fire and forest management partners, including assessing and modeling fire activity in different forest types and management treatments in the southwestern US. Additional research themes based on the candidate’s interests and experience are also possible.
The postdoc will be mentored directly by Dr. Jonathan Coop (jcoop@western.edu) at Western, but will work closely with other members of our research team including Dr. Sean Parks (USFS RMRS), Dr. Camille Stevens-Rumann (Colorado State University). Other collaborators on components of this project include Dr. Meg Krawchuk (Oregon State), Dr. Cameron Naficy (US Forest Service), Dr. Marc Parisien (Canadian Forest Service) and Dr. Ellen Whitman (Canadian Forest Service).
The postdoc will work closely with project collaborators to develop and archive datasets, conduct analyses, and lead publications and other science communication (e.g., oral presentations, webinars) and project deliverables.
The position is envisioned to be based out of Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado; however, options to work remotely are also possible. The postdoc will work with graduate students at Western; interested candidates may also wish to take advantage of abundant opportunities to engage with teaching and undergraduate education at Western. Additional collaborations with local land management agencies and/or the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab are also possible.
