Postdoc in movement ecology at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (Front Royal, VA, USA)

We seek a quantitative researcher with fluency in statistics to work in a team environment on projects related to animal movement. The successful candidate will work with our team to develop and refine a range of new analytical methods for movement data. Examples include incorporating barriers to movement in the continuous-time movement modeling framework, and quantifying encounter rates when individuals employ various continuous-time movement processes. Additionally, the postdoc will analyze data from species exhibiting 3D movements, including Andean condors, spider and howler monkeys, and Galápagos sea lions. The postdoc must be able to work productively in a team environment that includes ecologists, physicists, and computer scientists. Knowledge of R is necessary and experience with spatial statistics and/or signal processing is highly desirable. Previous experience with movement ecology is not required, but would also be beneficial. We are particularly interested in someone with these quantitative skills who also has a documented history of publishing papers in ecological journals.

This postdoc is funded through a combination of NSF and institutional funds. Funding is available for one year, with the possibility of an extension to two years. The position is based in the Calabrese lab at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (Front Royal, VA), but the postdoc will also interact closely with the Fagan lab at University of Maryland (College Park, MD). Interested candidates should send a CV, letter of intent, and list of 3 references to Justin Calabrese (CalabreseJ@si.edu). The position will begin as soon as 1 Oct. 2016, but the start date can be delayed for the right candidate. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.