Postdoctoral Position in Adaptive Management for Recovery of the New England Cottontail
I am recruiting a postdoctoral research associate to take part in a regional effort to recover populations of the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis). The research associate will work closely with a consortium of federal and state resource management agencies in the northeast to develop inference and test hypotheses regarding 1) potential negative interactions between native New England cottontails (NEC) and invasive eastern cottontails (EC), 2) the relationship between habitat characteristics/transitions and demographic performance of both species, 3) interactive effects of habitat and EC on the dynamics of NEC and 4) the effectiveness of manipulating habitat and/or EC abundance for increasing NEC populations. The research associate will work closely with the PI in designing a sampling/monitoring protocol and an adaptive management framework to allow those management agencies involved to collect standardized covariate and observation data to capitalize on the diversity of habitats, management treatments, and population levels of both species across the study region. The output of this research will be recommendations of optimal management policies for reversing the decline of NEC populations throughout its range and avoiding possible listing decisions for protection of the species under the ESA. Qualifications: The successful applicant will have demonstrated significant academic achievement, including completion of a Ph.D. in ecology, natural resources, wildlife management, statistics or a closely related field and a record of publishing in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals. The applicant will either possess a strong quantitative background in optimal sample design and estimation methods (e.g., parameter estimation, multi-model inference, hierarchical modeling) or have a foundation in decision theory and skills in such areas as adaptive management, value of information, and optimization. A candidate with a combination of skills in the two areas would be ideal. Applicants should also possess strong interpersonal skills (both written and oral), which are essential for this position as s/he will work closely with working groups from the NEC recovery team, as well as state and federal land managers responsible for implementing management actions and monitoring habitat and population responses. This position is funded for 2.5 years, to begin as soon as possible (fall/early winter). Compensation will be commensurate with experience and include benefits. Location of the position is somewhat flexible with duty station located either at the USGS SE Climate Science Center at North Carolina State University, Raleigh (with the PI) or at the NE Climate Science Center at the Univ. of Mass, Amherst. It is possible that another location in the northeast would be considered. Please send a cover letter detailing your research interests, familiarity with sampling design, estimation and/or decision methods, adaptive management and modeling. Also include a CV, copies of your transcripts, GRE scores (unofficial are acceptable), contact information for 3 references and a recent manuscript or other writing sample to Dr. Mitchell Eaton (mitchell.ea...@usgs.gov) by September 15. Please include the following in the subject line “NE Cottontail Postdoctoral Associate”. Confirmation of receipt will be sent and review of applicants will begin as they are received.
