Location: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Application deadline: December 6, 2024 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone *Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

Full position description and application instructions

Summary:

Research Project: Forest Service Southern Research Station scientists are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to join our research team focused on analyzing forest change and threats to mature and old-growth forests from global change drivers. In this project, we will collaboratively analyze potential threats expected to affect the ecological integrity and carbon dynamics of mature and old-growth forests across the U.S. between now and mid-century (2070) under scenarios of climate and socioeconomic change. We will also aim to identify the places that will serve as refugia for mature and old-growth forests in the future.

Learning Objectives: The participant selected for this project will have the opportunity to hone many aspects of their scientific skillset while participating collaboratively with Southern Research Station researchers. Activities will include:

• Analyzing simulation modeling results to determine how multiple aspects of ecological integrity of mature and old-growth forests are expected to change in the future;
• Analyzing the effects of climate extremes and disturbances on future mature and old-growth forest ecological integrity;
• Determining which places may be climate refugia for mature and old-growth forests;
• Communicating with partners within the Forest Service, in academia and in other agencies to share results; and
• Leading the writing of multiple peer-reviewed publications on research results.