Postdoctoral Researcher– Waterfowl Distribution, Spatial Modeling
The University of Maryland in collaboration with the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center is searching for a highly motivated and talented individual to work as a postdoctoral researcher on projects focused on analyzing movement data from wild birds, developing distribution models for waterfowl, and modeling the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission at the wild bird-domestic bird interface. This position will be dual-based at (1) PWRC, a world-renowned research facility located in Laurel, MD within 30 minutes of Washington D.C., and (2) University of Maryland in College Park, MD. The two stations are located within 15 min of each other.
Project description: This position will focus on multiple spatial modeling projects including development and comparison of waterfowl distribution models using varying datasets, and development of spatial inputs for disease modeling. The post-doc will also have opportunity to choose an additional project to work on from a suite of wildlife related studies (feral hogs and disease, bear spatial use and forest characteristics using lidar, etc.). Analyses and development of peer-reviewed journal articles are expected products. Access to high-powered computing is available through the University of Maryland and USGS. The selected candidate will work directly with Dr. Diann Prosser (USGS) and Dr. Jennifer Mullinax (UMD), and in part with our professional collaborators across the country. In-lab interactions include other post-docs, long-term technicians, graduate students, and interns.

Required expertise/skills:
The ideal candidate has a doctoral degree in Ecology, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resources, GIS, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field. The candidate must be highly motivated, able to work independently, and good at communicating within a team. It is critical that the selected candidate have extensive experience in R or other related statistical software, be proficient in GIS, species distribution modeling, and analysis of spatial data. Ability to write peer-reviewed manuscripts is a requirement.
Eligibility requirements: The selected candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check as required for access to government computers and properties.
Description of working conditions: Work will be performed predominately in the office environment located in Laurel, Maryland (PWRC) and with 2 days per week at the University of Maryland, College Park. The potential exists for occasional field work which may require transportation via mid-sized (20-40’) open boats. Extreme weather (hot summers, cold winters, high winds) and uncomfortable environments (biting insects) may be encountered. Extended periods of computer use will be required for this position.
Compensation: This position offers approximately $45,000/year and a full, competitive University of Maryland benefit package. Compensation for housing, meals or other living expenses is not provided while working at the principal duty station.
Approximate start date for the position is November/December 2019. This position is funded for 12 months with potential for extension to 24 months.
Principal Duty Station: This position is offered through the University of Maryland, with presence at PWRC 3 days per week and UMD 2 days per week.
How to apply: Send the following to pwrc_application@usgs.gov and wildlife@umd.edu by October 31, 2019 with “Modeling Postdoc” in the Subject header. Applications will be reviewed as received.
--Letter of interest, CV with publication list, 3 references, and one peer-reviewed writing example in a SINGLE document titled with your name (eg. DoeJohn.doc or SmithJane.pdf).