Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Maine at Augusta; Orono (ME); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible start date

Job summary

University of Maine invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to study mechanisms underlying persistence of tundra plant relicts in Northeast alpine zones since deglaciation. You will lead ancient DNA analyses of long-term vegetation records from alpine lakes across the Northeast and Maine, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

The position, based in the BEAST Lab at UMaine, offers up to three years of funding, with a flexible start date but no later than Jan 1, 2027.

Qualifications

• PhD in biology, ecology, evolution, geography, Earth science, or a related discipline (PhD must be conferred before start date)
• Demonstrated track record of publication in scientific journals
• Strong quantitative and programming skills

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis of ancient DNA reconstructions of long-term vegetation records from alpine lakes in the Adirondacks (NY), White Mountains (NH), Green Mountains (VT), and Maine
• Collaborate with team members on population genomic analyses of demographic history and adaptation
• Develop and pursue project questions related to community ecology and paleoecology of plants

Skills

Quantitative skills

Programming skills

Publication record

Education

PhD in biology / ecology / evolution

Job description

We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to join a collaborative, NSF-funded project investigating the mechanisms underlying the persistence of tundra plant relicts in Northeast alpine zones since regional deglaciation ~13,000 years ago. We seek a question-driven, big-picture thinker who works well in collaborative groups, and ideally has a background in either paleoecology or plant population genetics. The postdoc will lead the analysis of ancient DNA reconstructions of long-term vegetation records from alpine lakes in the Adirondacks (NY), the White Mountains (NH), the Green Mountains (VT), and Maine. The chosen candidate will have the opportunity to develop and pursue questions of interest related to project themes and to contribute collaboratively with other team members, such as population genomic analyses of demographic history and adaptation. Our project not only has applications for understanding contemporary biodiversity patterns, but will also improve our understanding of how small, isolated populations persist in the face of global change.

This position will be based in the BEAST Lab (Biodiversity and Environments Across Space and Time) in the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine, under the mentorship of PI Jacquelyn Gill. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative team including Dudu Meireles (University of Maine), Caitlin McDonough Mackenzie (Bennington College), Stephen Keller (University of Vermont), Andrew Rominger (University of Hawaii), and Isaac Overcast (Columbia University). The position is funded for up to three years (renewal after the first year is dependent upon progress). The University of Maine is a family-friendly R1 institution with a collegial environment. Close proximity to forests, mountains, rivers, and the ocean make the greater Bangor area a great place to live and work. Typical hiring salary for this soft-money funded position is $55,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Complete Job Description

About the University:

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world.

More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu.

UMaine offers a wide range of benefitsfor employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options.

UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourism to learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer.

Qualifications:

Required:

• PhD in biology, ecology, evolution, geography, Earth science, or a related discipline (candidates nearing completion will be considered but the PhD must be conferred before the start date)
• Demonstrated track record of publication in scientific journals
• Strong quantitative and programming skills

Preferred:

• Expertise in the community ecology, functional ecology, or molecular ecology of plants
• Experience with sediment-based paleoecological reconstructions OR experience with population genomics and/or phylogeographic approaches to reconstructing past population dynamics of plants
• Familiarity with Arctic and/or alpine systems
• Curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to learn new approaches
• Ability to work in a collaborative team across disciplines
  

For full consideration, materials must be submitted by4:30p.m.ESTon July 1, 2026. Start date is flexible, but no later than 01/01/2027

For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Dr. Jacquelyn Gill.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at https://www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies.

You may view the University’s Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.