Postdoctoral Researcher in Human Mobility and Social-Ecological Systems

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 63,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Human Mobility and Social-Ecological Systems. The role focuses on interdisciplinary research linking human activity, recreation, wildlife movement, and landscape connectivity across large landscapes in collaboration with CSU and the U.S.

Forest Service. The position supports data analysis, publication output, and mentoring of undergraduates.

Qualifications

• PhD in biology, physics, or computer science or closely related field.
• Strong publication record in spatial ecology.
• Experience with research design in field settings.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate approaches to quantify timing, intensity, predictability, and types of human use across broad geographic areas.
• Integrate human mobility data with wildlife habitat and movement data to assess landscape connectivity.
• Investigate wildlife responses to temporal variation in human activity by incorporating measures of human presence into analyses.
• Collaborate with CSU and U.S. Forest Service scientists to incorporate human presence into ecological studies.

Skills

Spatial ecology

Movement analyses

GIS

R

Python

MATLAB

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in biology

Tools

R

MATLAB

Python

GIS tools

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Human Mobility and Social-Ecological Systems# Careers at CSU## Postdoctoral Researcher in Human Mobility and Social-Ecological SystemsApply: Fort Collins, CO: Full time: Posted Today: R2026108064# Job Description## Position Summary:The Postdoctoral Researcher will lead and support interdisciplinary research examining relationships among human activity, recreation, wildlife movement, and landscape connectivity across broad geographic scales. The successful candidate will develop innovative quantitative approaches, analyze large spatial and spatiotemporal datasets, collaborate with academic and U.S. Forest Service scientists, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications and other research products.**Full Consideration Date:** All application materials must be received by **December 1, 2026**.Incomplete applications may not be considered.**Work Unit Description:** This position supports collaborative research focused on spatial ecology, human dimensions of natural resources, wildlife conservation, and landscape connectivity. The researcher will work with scientists from Colorado State University and the U.S. Forest Service to better understand how patterns of human activity influence wildlife behavior, habitat use, and ecological systems across large landscapes.## Essential Job Duties:* Develop and evaluate approaches to quantify the timing, intensity, predictability, and types of human use across broad geographic areas.* Integrate human mobility data with wildlife habitat and movement data to investigate landscape connectivity, identify potential bottlenecks, and evaluate opportunities to maintain or improve connectivity.* Investigate wildlife responses to temporal variation in human activity by incorporating measures of human presence into movement, habitat selection, and occupancy analyses.* Determine which aspects of human use most strongly influence wildlife behavior and space use.* Collaborate with academic and U.S. Forest Service scientists across the United States to incorporate meaningful measures of human presence into ongoing and completed ecological studies.## Conditions of Employment:* Required background check. ## Supervision:* The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in supervising undergraduate volunteers working on the project.## Minimum Qualifications:* Ph.D. degree in a pertinent biological, physical, or computer science field.* Demonstrated research focus on spatial ecology.* Strong publication record in spatial ecology.* Experience with research design in field settings.## Preferred Qualifications:* Demonstrated proficiency in movement analyses, camera-based wildlife monitoring data analysis, spatial statistical modeling, and/or processing large datasets.* Demonstrated experience developing and applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methods and tools.* Demonstrated proficiency with scientific computing and programming languages, including R, MATLAB, Python, or similar platforms.* Research experience examining wildlife responses to human activity, recreation, land use, or environmental change.* Demonstrated experience working effectively in collaborative and interdisciplinary research settings. # Salary Range$63,000-68,000# Required Application DocumentsTo apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Transcripts