Postdoc: Conservation Scientist for CWD & Policy

UMass Amherst; Amherst (MA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead work at the interface of human dimensions and quantitative wildlife disease research. You will analyze statewide stakeholder surveys, design and facilitate a multi-agency tabletop exercise, and co-design communication materials and decision tools.

The role includes leading manuscripts, reports, and code/data preparation, with significant collaboration with federal and state partners, and opportunities to extend

Qualifications

• PhD in human dimensions of natural resources, conservation social science, ecology, conservation, epidemiology, wildlife science, or other related field.
• Experience with quantitative analysis in R.
• Evidence of scientific writing, such as published or submitted peer-reviewed manuscripts or technical reports.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and an ability to work collaboratively with agency partners.

Responsibilities

• Analyze statewide CWD stakeholder surveys to quantify knowledge and attitudes across audiences.
• Help design and co-facilitate a multi-agency tabletop exercise (1.5 day) simulating CWD detection scenarios.
• Translate tabletop results into revised reactive-response plan sections and decision trees.
• Co-design pre-positioned communication materials with state agency outreach staff.
• Lead and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts, write reports, and prepare code/data for release.
• Collaborate with a large team and gain a broad professional network in the Northeast.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Scientific writing

Communication

Collaboration with agencies

Education

PhD in related field

Tools

R

Job description

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead work at the interface of human dimensions and quantitative wildlife disease research. You will analyze statewide stakeholder surveys, design and facilitate a multi-agency tabletop exercise, and co-design communication materials and decision tools.

The role includes leading manuscripts, reports, and code/data preparation, with significant collaboration with federal and state partners, and opportunities to extend