Postdoctoral Research Associate in Species Distribution Modeling

PURPOSE: To develop geospatial models to address key questions about the relationships between species ranges of rare plants and cactus and climate change.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:
1. Develop geospatial models utilizing MaxEnt or other algorithms
2. Ground-truth models generated in the inter-mountain west, Great Basin, Southwest etc.
3. Teach one GIS-related course per year
4. Assist with other types of analyses as requested by project supervisor
5. Publish results in peer-reviewed journals, and present at local, regional, and national conferences

DEPARTMENT: Conservation Projects

REPORTS TO: Pati Vitt

SUPERVISES: Volunteers, interns, seasonal research assistants

COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS: Botanic Garden staff; other regional research institutions and universities; federal, state, and regional land managers; conservation and stewardship groups; and professional scientific societies.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: A Ph.D. and a background in GIS/RS and geospatial modeling/spatial statistics are required. Experience with MaxEnt or other species distribution modeling is ideal, and familiarity with or a strong interest in population modeling is highly desirable. Proficiency in spoken and written English is an absolute necessity. Given the multidisciplinary nature of the research, a highly self-directed, creative, and self-motivated individual is sought.