Postdoctoral Fellow in Restoration Ecology

Missouri Botanical Garden is a center for botanical research and science
education, as well as an oasis in the city of St. Louis. The Garden offers
79 acres of beautiful horticultural display, including a 14-acre Japanese
strolling garden, Henry Shaw’s original 1850 estate home, and one of the
world’s largest collections of rare and endangered orchids. The Center for
Conservation and Sustainable Development (CCSD) explores and implements
new, science-based approaches to the conservation and sustainable use of
plant diversity. CCSD’s strategies for conservation are based on a sound,
scientific understanding of the occurrence and distribution of plants. CCSD
applies the knowledge of plant diversity accumulated by Missouri Botanical
Garden researchers over many years, making that knowledge usable for
conservation planning and decision-making. Operating under the auspices of
the Garden and as part of its division of Science and Conservation, CCSD
builds upon the Garden’s institutional expertise, scientific programs,
influence and resources.

Summary of the position:

 The holder of this position is expected to develop innovative research
projects that advance the science of restoration ecology and build upon the
strengths of MBG’s local and international field programs. The candidate
will have opportunities to develop collaborative projects at MBG’s Shaw
Nature Reserve and other field sites and natural areas in the St. Louis
region, the Midwest, USA, and internationally. The successful candidate
will have opportunities to collaborate in ongoing research projects related
to the restoration of degraded ecosystems and reinforcement of populations
of endangered plant species by working directly with MBG scientists active
in conservation biology, reintroduction biology, global change, restoration
ecology, community ecology, and macroecology. This individual will also
interact with a broader community of scientists at universities, non-
governmental organizations, and governmental agencies. Other
responsibilities include participating in the recently-formed Ecological
Restoration Alliance of botanic gardens, arboreta and seed banks and
working with MBG seed bank staff to develop ex situ collections for
restoration projects. This individual will also be expected to help build
restoration capacity in MBG’s international field programs. Two regions of
particular interest are the tropical Andean countries, and Madagascar and
other islands in the Indian Ocean. Thus, fluency or competence in Spanish
and/or French is highly desirable.


The position will be based in St. Louis, where a vibrant community of
conservation biologists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists interact
through partnerships among MBG, Washington University, the University of
Missouri-St. Louis and Saint Louis University. Missouri Botanical Garden
offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications and/or Experience:

Candidates should have a strong background in one or more of the following
fields: restoration ecology, landscape ecology, conservation biology, or a
related discipline. A Ph.D. in one or more of these fields is required by
the start date. In addition, candidates should have excellent writing and
communications skills as well as an eagerness to produce and publish
scientific results.

•Strong background including a minimum of (6) months prior experience or
coursework in one or more of the following fields: restoration ecology,
conservation science, community ecology, landscape ecology, spatial
analysis.

•Demonstrated ability including a minimum of (6) months experience using R
and ESRI software (or at least one of the above tools).

•Prior experience writing scientific papers, grant proposals and reports.

Application Process:

To be considered, applicants should apply on-line and submit a brief
statement of research interests (2 page maximum), a CV, copies of relevant
publications or manuscripts, and the names and contact information for
three references to recruiting@mobot.org before March 31, 2014.

For more information please visit our website or contact the Recruiter

Link to comprehensive posting and job application: http://www.mobot.org/jobs

Missouri Botanical Garden Website: www.mobot.org

Recruiter: Tracy Breckenridge

E-mail: recruiting@mobot.org

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer