Postdoctoral Researcher (Arctic Boreal Fire Management)

Overview

Postdoctoral Researcher (Arctic Boreal Fire Management) at Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate). This role supports carbon and wildfire vulnerability analysis and mapping to assess fire-induced carbon emissions and permafrost thaw in Arctic boreal ecosystems, in collaboration with the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies.

Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To

• Building on existing observations and modeling frameworks, develop a methodology to map landscape-scale vulnerability to fire-induced permafrost thaw and carbon loss
• Merge the carbon and permafrost vulnerability map with fire risk to derive a spatial vulnerability ranking scale, and apply this across boreal North America
• Support and collaborate on other data analysis needs relating to quantifying the impacts of wildfire management on carbon and permafrost thaw, including through the use of field observations, spatial data products, and satellite remote sensing
• Schedule own work and lead project implementation
• Communicate results to various scientific, policy and management focused conferences, meetings and workshops
• Author and co-author associated publications, presentations, and/or technical documents

Must Have The Following Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• GIS, remote sensing and/or other earth observation data, advanced statistical techniques and experience manipulating large data sets
• Advanced computational and programming skills (R, Python, Google Earth Engine, etc.)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in a highly collaborative environment
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and provide supervision and mentorship to others as required
• Demonstrated history of an established record of successful original research and publications
• Knowledge of forest ecology, wildfire, carbon cycling and permafrost dynamics is preferred, particularly in Arctic and boreal ecosystems
• Ability to travel up to 10% annually

Qualifications

• Ph.D. (granted or expected soon) in Environmental Sciences, Earth System Science, Ecology, Geography, or a related discipline

Work Environment

The functions of this role are conducted in a variety of environments, both indoor and some outdoor.

Hours Of Work

• This role is paid on a salary basis. Typically, full-time employees work 40 hours during a Monday through Friday workweek. However, this is a salaried position. Therefore, the individual is expected to work as required to complete the duties of the position. This may mean weekend hours and/or hours beyond 40 per week on occasion.

Application Instructions

Application review will be ongoing. Desired Start Date: October 2025. Fixed-term: 1.5 years, with the possibility to extend dependent on funding. Classification and Compensation: This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position; annual salary range starting at $73,200, depending on qualifications/experience. Location: Falmouth, MA onsite, hybrid or remote. To apply, please send your cover letter addressing your experience and qualifications in relation to the responsibilities of this position and curriculum vitae as a single PDF to our career portal.

For more about Woodwell’s work, please visit Woodwell’s website. Woodwell Climate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Woodwell is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.