The Environmental Institute (EI) at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support its interdisciplinary Climate & Forest Regeneration Project.
The Postdoc will work with an interdisciplinary team of faculty mentors and researchers with expertise in genetics, genomics, physiology and modeling to characterize the genetic population structure of tree species and investigate how these underlying genetic patterns are currently associated with climate. By building this database of genetics and environment in critical tree species, the project aims to inform ways to better tailor nursery restocking efforts, design planting projects, and create timely inventories of species for disease resistance.
Forests are a key tool for mitigating climate change. The successful Postdoc will advance our understanding of local adaptation in forest trees using genomic tools and work with multi-institution partners to translate this information into products that help decision-making around nursery stocking, reforestation and species conservation efforts in the eastern United States.
Eligibility and Selection Process:
General Expectations
Applicants must have received or will receive their doctoral degree by the beginning of their appointment; we prefer candidates who have received their degree within five years prior to the start of the appointment.
There is no citizenship requirement. UVA will help sponsor candidate visas covering the duration of the postdoc.
The successful Postdoctoral Research Associate will be appointed for one year with the possibility of second year funding, contingent on the successful completion of a first-year performance evaluation.
Applicants seeking to be considered for the Postdoctoral Research Associate role for this project will be evaluated on three main criteria: the strength of their research. their ability to collaborate across disciplines; and their commitment to broadening perspectives and voices in finding equitable solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation.
Project-Specific Competencies
The ideal candidate must have a Ph.D. in Biology, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Statistics, or related fields. Experience with the following is highly preferred:
Authoring and publishing research
Programming in object-oriented languages (Python/R) and high-performance computing
Conducting fieldwork
Working with large data sets, particularly genomic and environmental
Strong statistical training
Building collaboration networks, including experience working with non-academic partners
The EI Postdoc Model
Once selected, the Postdoctoral Research Associate will join a cohort of other Climate Fellows Program postdocs at UVA and will receive professional training, technical support, and computational infrastructure tailored to their project, for one (1) year. The postdoc will receive direct mentoring from at least two UVA faculty members in different disciplines to help them build cross-disciplinary fluency in support of their own research. They will join a network of faculty members from 30 departments in several disciplines across UVA focused on producing research and providing training that is both great and good at the intersection of climate change and human well-being.
Starting salary: $69,000/year
Research Funds: $5,000/year
The Institute partners with the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, UVA’s Career Center, and staff across the university to provide career development and extracurricular opportunities to student and postdoctoral faculty.
About the Institute:
The UVA Environmental Institute is the hub of interdisciplinary environmental research at the university. We provide seed funding, research experiences, and training to faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students from the university’s 12 schools. With a focus on impactful research, the Institute and its collaborators are committed to our mission to support interdisciplinary research and training that is both great and good at the intersection of climate change and human well-being, while ensuring that the full spectrum of human attributes, perspectives, identities, backgrounds, and disciplines is represented and making an explicit effort to diversify voices in finding equitable solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation.
The University of Virginia is rated as one of the top three public universities in the nation and in the top 30 among all universities, public and private. Charlottesville is frequently cited as one of the best cities in which to live and work. The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
To Apply:
External Applicants: Apply online, and search for ‘R0069111.’ Complete an application online and attach the following:
CV/Resumé
Cover Letter, describing your research interest and how it aligns with the project.
Personal Statement (highly encouraged but not required): use this statement to reflect on your academic and research trajectory.
Contact information for three (3) references (name, email, telephone, and address).
Internal UVA Applicants: Please apply through your Workday Home page, search “Find UVA Jobs” and search for R0069111.
Application Timeline:
Application Opens: January 22, 2025
Early application reviews will begin after February 10, 2025
For questions about the position, please contact Henry Boachi, Program Manager, at henryb@virginia.edu.
For questions regarding the application process, please contact Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, at js9rk@virginia.edu.
The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.