Postdoctoral Research Associate in Avian Agroecology

Position Summary:

The Smith Agroecology Lab in the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program and Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University is seeking applications for a postdoctoral research associate in agroecology, with an emphasis on ecosystem (dis)service provisioning by birds and avian conservation in agricultural systems. Our lab’s research broadly focuses on how local and landscape diversification in working landscapes impacts bird and arthropod community composition, and the subsequent consequences of these communities on ecosystem service provisioning. The position is 100% research with a flexible start date between January–May 2025. This is a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term position, with reappointment conditional on satisfactory performance.

This position will work to understand how local and landscape contexts influence community composition and the net impacts of biodiversity on agricultural production, with an emphasis on birds. Successful applicants will be able to tackle this question from a variety of angles (e.g., observational field work, experiments, meta-analysis) and will develop their own research questions. Ideal candidates would have experience working with farmers, be able to help recruit farmers for our research, and have GIS skills to characterize local and landscape diversification. Expertise in bird-arthropod interactions, food safety, and landscape ecology would be highly desirable. Interest and experience in socio-ecological aspects would be a plus, and the successful candidate would be encouraged to explore human dimensions. Successful applicants would also be encouraged to seek collaborations with the Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program at Kellogg Biological Station. The successful candidate would also be encouraged to conduct outreach and extension activities. In addition to research, the applicant will be able to gain professional development skills including time management, mentoring students (both graduate and undergraduate), and large-scale networking. The successful candidate will be encouraged to participate in the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program at MSU.

The Smith Agroecology Lab actively strives to create an inclusive and equitable environment for all scientists. To this end, we strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply. Successful applicants will have contributed to promoting a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. A second primary line of research in the Smith Agroecology Lab focuses on inequity in publishing. Successful applicants would be encouraged to continue pursuing questions in this line of research or expand into related areas.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree:

Doctorate - Biology, Ecology, Entomology, Environmental Science, Statistics or a related field.

Minimum Requirements:

• A PhD in biology, ecology, entomology, environmental science, statistics, or a related field by December 2024 (or May 2025 if the candidate starts at that point)
• Evidence of a successful publication record in peer-reviewed journals commensurate with career stage
• Programming ability in R and strong quantitative skills
• Experience and expertise in bird survey methods (e.g., point counts, transect surveys, mist-netting)
• Highly motivated and able to work independently and in collaborative settings
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in science

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with landscape data
• Experience working with farmers or other private landowners
• Extension experience
• Experience working in highly collaborative settings
• Meta-analytic skills
• Expertise in entomology or microbiology a plus but not a requirement

Required Application Materials:

• a cover letter (up to 2 pages) stating 1) your interest in the position, 2) your previous experience as it relates to the advertised position, and 3) a description of how your work (research, teaching, outreach, etc.) supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in science.
• a current CV
• 1-2 recent first-authored publications
• names and contact information for 3 professional references.

Special Instructions:

Please contact Dr. Olivia Smith with any questions at smitho17@msu.edu

https://smithagroecology.wixsite.com/oliviasmith

Review of Applications Begins On:

10/28/2024 (open until filled)