Post-doctoral Research Associate (Raptor Quantitative Ecologist/Modeler)

Work location: Orono, Maine (remote work possible during January-March 2025 and after the 2025 field season)

Start Date: January 1, 2025 (24-month position)

Salary and Benefits: $60,000 starting salary. Full benefits are available as negotiated by the Universities of Maine Professional Staff Association, and more information can be found at this link.

Description: The American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) is an apex predator experiencing a precipitous population decline and range contraction in the Northeast US such that biologists urgently seek information to better conserve this species. The laboratory of Dr. Roth, School of Forest Resources and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position to develop and integrate a series of spatially explicit models to better understand goshawk distribution (current and historical), and habitat associations across the breeding range in the Northeast US. The position will include field-based research and supporting computer-based research. Tasks include mentoring graduate students, coordinating communications with a large collaborative team of researchers across the goshawk’s range in the Northeast, and publishing at least one peer-review scientific publication. Initial appointment is for two years, with renewal contingent upon funding and performance, up to a maximum duration of five years.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Coordinate a large collaborative research team of biologists and scientists across the Northeast US.
• Develop methodologies (including a field survey protocol) and conduct research, responding flexibly and creatively to input from the Supervisor.
• Supervisory responsibility: The successful candidate will be responsible for hiring and supervising 8 field technicians.
• Coordinate data collection from all partners and manage the resultant large datasets.
• Maintain accurate records of research findings and the analysis of results.
• Communicate research results to the scientific community and sponsors by preparing reports, peer reviewed journal articles, and presentations for professional meetings in collaboration with the research team.
• Mentor graduate students and assist with their research.
• Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required

• PhD. in biology, ecology, natural resources, environmental science, statistics, or a related field.
• Experience working with GIS and analyzing data in an R environment.
• Experience with quantitative data analysis and spatial models.
• Demonstrated success publishing peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals.
• Excellent presentation and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Applicants must be eligible to begin employment in the United States by the start date.
• Ability to travel, normally requiring a driver’s license.
• Ability to conduct goshawk surveys in appropriate field conditions under sometimes adverse weather conditions.

Preferred

• Experience with spatially explicit species models (e.g. species distribution models) and/or occupancy models.
• Strong communication skills in coordinating large collaborative teams.

The finalist for this position must successfully complete either a driver’s license, credit and State Bureau of Identification background checks whichever are required.

Work Environment: Work will take place at the University of Maine in Orono. Regular trips to field sites across the state of Maine are necessary. Remote work is possible outside of the field season (April-July).

Work Year: Full-time, fiscal year position.

Work Schedule: Normal University of Maine business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Due to the nature of the position, work beyond regular hours (to include evenings and weekends) will be necessary to meet the requirements of the position. The employee shall establish regular office hours and in consultation with the supervisor, adjust the work schedule as appropriate.