Postdoctoral Associate Forest Futures LabWestern Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Village of Millbrook (NY); On-site; USD 74,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York seeks a collaborative postdoctoral associate to join the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative and the Forest Futures Lab. You will integrate geospatial and climate data to understand climate-fire-vegetation links and extend a process-based model.

The role offers leadership and research independence in a supportive lab environment. The position is based in the Hudson Valley, with an anticipated January 2027 start date, and a strong

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in grassland/range ecology, climate science, disturbance ecology, or related field.
• Experience with broad-scale geospatial analysis of western US ecosystems.
• Proficiency in process-based vegetation modeling and climate-vegetation-fire analyses.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills; ability to work independently.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; programming in R/Python.

Responsibilities

• Present research findings in peer-reviewed papers and conferences.
• Lead independent research within the Fire Collaborative and Forest Futures Lab.
• Leverage climate and geospatial data in analytical frameworks, AI and statistics.
• Develop a grass and shrub module for an existing process-based model.
• Engage with boundary spanners, policymakers, and stakeholders to inform management.
• Contribute to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

Process-based modeling

AI-based analysis

R programming

Python programming

Independent work

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in grassland/range ecology or related field

Tools

R

Python

JavaScript

Job description

This is a full-time, fully benefitted exempt position with a one-year initial appointment, renewable for an additional year contingent on performance and funding. Annual salary ranges from $74,263 - $85,000, based on postdoctoral experience, with a highly competitive benefits and time-off package.

Position Summary

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies seeks a collaborative, synthetic postdoctoral associate to join the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative and the Forest Futures Lab. The Fire Collaborative includes 12 science teams and a team of boundary spanners working together to advance predictive science in fire ecology and ecosystem resilience in ways that are actionable for western US land managers. The postdoctoral associate will integrate geospatial and climate data to determine relationships among climate, fire, and vegetation growth across western US grasslands and shrublands and further develop an existing simulation model to represent these processes. This role offers leadership opportunities and the freedom to pursue independent research within a supportive and nurturing lab environment.

The position is based at the Cary Institute in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York, a short way north of New York City. The Cary Institute is home to a diverse, vibrant, and supportive community of colleagues. The anticipated start date is on or around January 4th, 2027.

Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Winslow Hansen at the Cary Institute.

Essential Responsibilities

• Present research findings in peer-reviewed papers, at scientific meetings, and in other forums.
• Work with colleagues in the Fire Collaborative to develop, lead, and implement independent research that enhances fire ecology and ecosystem resilience strategies.
• Leverage climate and geospatial data in AI or statistical analytical frameworks to characterize relationships among climate, fire, and vegetation.
• Develop a grass and shrub module for an existing process-based simulation model.
• Engage with Collaborative boundary spanners, scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to ensure research findings effectively inform fire and forest management strategies.
• Contribute to a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment at the Cary Institute.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in grassland/range ecology, climate science, disturbance ecology, or a related field prior to appointment.
• Demonstrated expertise in broad-scale geospatial analysis of non-forested western US ecosystems, process-based vegetation modeling, and/or coupled climate-vegetation-fire analyses.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, particularly with process-based simulation and AI-based analyses.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python, Java script.

Preferred Qualifications (Not required in every job description only as needed)

• Demonstrated research experience addressing-fire science questions in west Texas and/or the Great Plains states.
• Past postdoctoral experience.
• Proven record of successful collaboration in team-science environments.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, Exempt, fully benefitted position.
• Occasional travel for field work or meetings is required.
• Will require computer work for 7 hours or more a day.

Visit our website at https://www.caryinstitute.org/... and complete our online job application. The Cary Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, familial status, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Closing Date: Review of applications will begin 09/25/2026