Postdoctoral Researcher: Land-Use & Sustainability Analysis

West Virginia University; Morgantown (WV); On-site; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

West Virginia University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment. The role focuses on land-use change, sustainable agriculture, land management, and geospatial analysis, working with NRAC and partners to advance Appalachian regional research.

You will develop externally funded proposals, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and mentor students while contributing to interdisciplinary teams across WVU.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Land Management, Natural Resource Management, Geography, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Science, Regional Planning, Sustainability Science, or a closely related field is required.
• Demonstrated research experience in land-use and land-cover change, land management, agricultural sustainability, resource economics, or related areas.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Experience with GIS and spatial analysis software (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, R, Python).
• Record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interdisciplinary research related to land-use change, agricultural sustainability, natural resource management, and regional development.
• Apply GIS, spatial analysis, and statistical methods to evaluate environmental and socioeconomic drivers of landscape change.
• Assist in developing externally funded research proposals to federal agencies, foundations, and other funding organizations.
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaborate with NRAC faculty and external partners on applied natural resource projects.
• Develop and manage large spatial, environmental, and socioeconomic datasets.
• Support research initiatives related to land conservation, farmland abandonment, carbon management, rural revitalization, and sustainable development.
• Assist with outreach and engagement activities involving state and federal agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students engaged in research projects.
• Participate in interdisciplinary research teams across WVU and collaborating institutions.

Skills

Land-use analysis

Spatial analysis

Quantitative methods

Research publications

Academic writing

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Project proposal writing

Education

PhD in Land Management/NRM/Geography/Environmental Science/Regional Planning/Sustainability Science

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

R

Python

Job description

West Virginia University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment. The role focuses on land-use change, sustainable agriculture, land management, and geospatial analysis, working with NRAC and partners to advance Appalachian regional research.

You will develop externally funded proposals, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and mentor students while contributing to interdisciplinary teams across WVU.