Washington State University Hiring for Postdoctoral Research Associate in Monarch Ecology, Conservation Biology, Vancouver Campus at Vancouver, WA Full Time

Available Title(s):

306-YN_FACULTY – Postdoctoral Research AssociateBusiness Title:Postdoctoral Research Associate in Monarch Ecology, Conservation Biology, Vancouver CampusEmployee Type:Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)Time Type:Full timePosition Term:12 MonthPosition Details:

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Monarch Ecology, Conservation Biology, Vancouver Campus

Dr. Cheryl Schultz has a Postdoctoral Research Associate position that focuses on at-risk butterflies in the Pacific Northwest as a model system to address broad ecological questions as well as advance conservation on-the-ground.

Summary of Duties

The Conservation Biology laboratory of Dr. Cheryl Schultz in the School of Biological Sciences invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (12-month, full-time, non-tenure track). The Conservation Biology Lab uses a population ecology lens to gain understanding of the ecology of at-risk species to develop conservation and restoration responses to global change. Our work largely focuses on at-risk butterflies in the Pacific Northwest as a model system to address broad ecological questions as well as advance conservation on-the-ground. More information on research in the lab can be found at: https://labs.wsu.edu/conservation-biology/.

We seek a postdoctoral scholar to conduct research as part of a project funded by US Forest Service-International Programs in partnership with the Department of Defense, “Ecological studies to advance conservation and management of monarch butterfly on public lands across the west”. Primary responsibility includes designing and leading experimental field work related to the role of habitat structure to create climate resilience (shade vs sun) in enhancing monarch habitat in the arid west. The focal site for the work is Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, with additional work at project sites in Washington and Idaho. The research is expected to add scholarly contributions to this field of monarch ecology and conservation. The project is a collaborative effort primarily including biologists at WSU, UC Davis and the Xerces for Invertebrate Conservation, with additional collaboration and outreach with federal and state agencies and other non-profit organizations.

Duties will include design and Implementation of field experiments with monarch butterflies, statistical analysis of experimental data, and preparation of presentations and manuscripts for peer-review. Field work will include traveling to and accessing remote sites often including long drives, packing equipment in rough terrain, frequent squatting/bending to check plants for eggs and caterpillars, and working outdoors in all weather conditions. Demonstrated interest and ability in the above-mentioned areas are necessary as well as familiarity with scholarly research on butterfly ecology and conservation.

The postdoc will co-supervise a technician, along with PI, and will work with the technician on data collection and project management as part of multiple projects in the lab. The postdoc will assist with supervision and mentoring of undergraduate students, as well as coordination with graduate students, and will participate in lab meetings and activities and be an active member of the lab and campus research community. Experience managing people, experiments, and datasets and good communication skills are essential.

The postdoc will receive professional mentoring from the PI and can expect to have individual weekly meetings with the PI in addition to weekly lab and project meetings.

The Conservation Biology lab embraces open and equitable access to opportunities for scientific learning and development, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender and gender expression, age, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, religious/non-religious beliefs, socio-economic class, or any other differences that have been the basis for oppression, misunderstanding or bias.

This position will be for 12 months with the possibility of an extension for additional years.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Ecology or related field

• Experience in ecological field research

• Experience with analysis of ecological data in R and with GIS

• Experience preparing technical reports and manuscripts

Preferred Qualifications

• Field and/or lab experience with butterflies

• Knowledge of scholarly research on butterfly ecology and conservation

• Interest in application of basic research in applied contexts for use by organizations such US Forest Service and Department of Defense

Application instructions:

Applicants must attach multiple documents at the time of application. Please read the entire posting description and follow the instructions below to apply.

Additional Information:

Work Location and Schedule:

This position is not eligible for remote/hybrid work assignments.

Annual Salary:

$56,484-$68,604 commensurate with NIH guidelines: https://www.niaid.nih.gov/grants-contracts/salary-cap-stipends. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

Benefits:

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a summary of benefits offered by WSU for postdoctoral scholars visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Benefit-Overview-for-Faculty-and-AP.pdf.

Find total compensation information here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.

FTE:

100%

Temporary:

This is a temporary non-tenure track position with an initial 1-year appointment. Renewal is dependent on performance, mutual acceptance, and available funding.

Screening and Posting Close Date:

The screening of applicants begins January 17, 2024, and will be open until filled.

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions

Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements. Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files and applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible.

External candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application.

Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Applicants must attach the following documents to their online application:

• Current CV or Resume.

• Cover letter describing past research experience and future career interests.

• A Statement on Contributions to Equity (see information and link below) *

• Applicants will also be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application.

*Please include a statement on contributions to equity. Provide examples from your past activities and experience as well as your future plans to advance equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging at WSU Vancouver. Include examples such as any of the following: Programming, events, and initiatives; Committee, council, or board service; Student and/or staff outreach, recruitment, and retention; Community engagement and volunteerism. WSU Vancouver’s strategic plan embeds equity in all 5 goals, including a specific goal for equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (Goal 4). Please see our Strategic Plan, Goal 4 for more information on what WSU Vancouver is doing in this space, https://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/strategic-plan.

About WSU Vancouver

As one of six campuses in the Washington state University system, WSU Vancouver provides baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people, communities and economy of Southwest Washington.

As the only public four-year educational institution in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver is dedicated to its land-grant tradition for openness, accessibility and service to people. WSU Vancouver enjoys extraordinary community support and is committed to developing areas of academic and research excellence that fulfill regional needs.

Situated on 351 scenic acres, WSU Vancouver is in the homelands of the Chinookan and Taidnapam peoples and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Employees and students alike value the beauty of campus.

Recognized by Insight Into Diversity magazine as a top college for diversity, WSU Vancouver is committed to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in all that it does.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].