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Position Details: A two-year NASA-funded postdoctoral position is available in Dr. Mark Cochrane's global ecology lab (https://www.umces.edu/mark-cochrane) at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian Lab (AL). The postdoc will join an interdisciplinary project designed to provide fundamental understanding of the changing role of wildfire as climate change alters fire regimes across the United States. The postdoc will lead the integration of remote sensing and modeling methods to define and characterize altered fire regimes and Regional Extreme Wildfire Events (REWEs) across the United States. The position is ideally suited to researchers with an interest in developing decision support tools from multiple remote sensing data with model outputs and other geospatial data.
The postdoctoral researcher will be based with Drs W. Matt Jolly and Patrick Freeborn at the USFS Missoula Fire Science Laboratory but will join a network of collaborators including Dr. Mark Cochrane at AL and researchers at South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD (Dr. Xiaoyang Zhang). The Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory is in Missoula, MT, a small college town in the Northern Rocky Mountains of Montana that provides a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment with direct connections to land management agencies. The postdoc will be provided leadership and skill growth opportunities in the project and coordinate collaborations with post docs and other scientists at collaborating institutions.
Qualifications: A completed Ph.D. in ecology, geography, or a related field is required. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in ecosystem process modeling and spatial analysis and a background in high
performance computing. Candidates with interest in spatial ecosystem process modeling and deep learning with an emphasis on wildland fire dynamics are highly encouraged to apply. Experience working with wildfire and remote sensing data will be viewed favorably but is not required. A promising record of research productivity is highly valued and the successful applicant will be an independent, motivated scientist who communicates well and thrives in a collaborative setting.
The position is available starting as early as March 2026 but ideally no later than May 2026. The initial appointment is for 1 year, renewable annually thereafter.
UMCES offers excellent benefit options through the State of Maryland, to include medical, dental, prescription, FSA, life insurance and AD&D. Regular full time employees also receive university retirement benefits, a very generous tuition remission program and comprehensive annual and sick leave benefits.
The selected candidate will be required to review and accept the UMCES Principles of Conduct.
Required Application Materials: Cover letter, resume/cv, list of three references and their contact information
Best Consideration Date: March 1, 2026
Open Until Filled: yes
Department
UMCES-Appalachian Laboratory
Worker Sub-Type
Faculty Regular
Salary Range
$65,000 to $80,000
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is an equal opportunity employer. The Center's policies, programs, and activities are in conformance with pertinent Federal and State laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, and disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; or related legal requirements should be directed to the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Center Administration, 2020 Horns Point Rd, Cambridge, MD 21613.
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