Postdoctoral Scholar: Quantifying and informing management of coastal squeeze
Position Overview
Organization: Environmental and Forest Sciences
Title: Postdoctoral Scholar: Quantifying and informing management of coastal squeeze
Position Details
Position Description
The University of Washington is seeking a full-time (100% FTE) postdoctoral research scholar to join the 2025-2027 Future of Species Range Shifts cohort as part of the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program, hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Centers. The successful applicant will conduct research related to the impact of human and natural barriers on inland range shifts of coastal species and ecosystems in response to sea-level rise (i.e., coastal squeeze). They will also join eight other postdocs from around the country to conduct a national synthesis project related to species range shifts.
The successful candidate will be based at the UW School of Environmental and Forest Sciences and will work closely with partners at the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, Oregon State University and a transdisciplinary team of scientists and coastal managers from Washington and Oregon. This position will be a 12-month appointment, with renewal for an additional 12 months based on performance for a total of two years. The preferred start is sometime in the summer of 2025.
The postdoctoral researcher will undertake quantitative analysis and data syntheses to develop models and maps that assess the potential impact of rising sea levels on coastal species and ecosystems. They will coordinate working groups to engage science and management partners to determine which species, systems, and locations should be of particular focus, and which analyses and products may be most useful to inform management of coastal squeeze. They will assemble and analyze relevant datasets, such as sea-level rise projections, topographic and bathymetric data, and other spatial data layers representing land cover, coastal development, and shoreline armoring. Because this project aims to co-produce actionable science to inform management of coastal squeeze in the Northwest, the successful candidate will need to work in close collaboration with science and management partners from Oregon and Washington.
About the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program
The U.S. Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) are building the next generation of science leaders through the Climate Adaptation Postdoctoral (CAP) Fellows Program. The CAP Fellows Program sponsors cohorts of post-doctoral researchers for two-years to conduct regional-to-national scale analyses of emerging climate research needs centered around one theme. The unifying theme for this cohort is the Future of Species Range Shifts. The program will include nine postdoctoral fellows distributed across the country, with one fellow based in each of the nine Regional CASCs. Each postdoctoral candidate will work with their PI(s) and associated leaders in the field to lead a regionally relevant project pertaining to the mechanisms and implications of climate-mediated range shifts.
Concurrently with the regional project, the Fellows will participate in an independent national-scale synthesis effort on the cohort’s unifying theme, the Future of Species Range Shifts, and gain valuable experience in collaborative research. While the national synthesis topic may relate to the regional research projects, it will typically address nationally pressing research questions related to the cohort topic; synthesize the state of the science on the cohort topic across all CASC regions; and advance our understanding of management-relevant applications of this information. Fellows will conduct much of the national synthesis effort at four in-person workshops, attended by Fellows, facilitators, and other subject matter experts. Two of these workshops are hosted in Santa Barbara, CA by the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS), a partner of the CAP Fellows Program who provides varied support for the Fellows throughout their program tenure.
As part of the CAP Fellow Program, postdocs will receive extensive training and mentorship on three core areas crucial for their success during the Fellowship and in their future careers: 1) Team Science, 2) Synthesis Science, and 3) Actionable Science. Many of these skills are not taught during standard graduate school curriculums or conventional postdoc positions.
Fellows should expect to devote approximately 80% of their time to their regional projects, and the remaining 20% of their time to the national synthesis effort and professional training.
About the University of Washington
The University of Washington (Seattle campus), a leader in undergraduate and graduate education and one of the world's premiere research universities, offers rigorous academic programs, outstanding faculty, and diverse cultural and social opportunities in a stimulating intellectual environment. The College of the Environment, including its six Schools and Departments and multiple programs, institutes, and centers, connects educators, researchers, students and citizens, cultivating communities who work with and learn from each other while tackling critical environmental challenges. The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences is dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge for the stewardship of natural and managed environments and the sustainable use of their products and services through teaching, research and outreach. Our Seattle location is ideal, with access to a multitude of collaboration opportunities in a vibrant urban location with the allure of the mountains, forests and islands within 45 minutes of campus.
The University of Washington (UW) is located in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, with a dynamic, multicultural community of 3.7 million people and a range of ecosystems from mountains to ocean. The UW serves a diverse population of 80,000 students, faculty and staff, including 25% first-generation college students, over 25% Pell Grant students, and faculty from over 70 countries. The UW is a recipient of a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation Award to increase the advancement of women faculty in science, engineering, and math (see http://advance.washington.edu/).
The UW and School of Environmental and Forest Sciences promote diversity and inclusivity among our students, faculty, staff, and public. Thus, we are strongly seeking candidates whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion and have given them the confidence to fully engage audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds.
Postdoctoral scholars at UW are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities will include the following.
- Facilitating regular meetings with scientific collaborators and management partners
- Organizing and processing large data sets
- Building statistical models and conducting analyses
- Preparing figures
- Writing technical reports and preparing other useful products (e.g., online tools) as needed to make results easily accessible to management partners
- Writing and publishing peer-reviewed papers
- Presenting results at meetings and conferences
Compensation
The salary for this position will be $78,000 per year or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.
Qualifications
Candidates must hold a PhD by the start of the appointment and have no more than three years of total postdoctoral experience. The successful candidate for this position will have strong spatial and quantitative modeling skills and a broad understanding of coastal ecology and/or coastal geomorphology and climate change. They will have experience handling large datasets, expertise in GIS, and strong coding skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, as is the ability to work well in a team that includes interdisciplinary scientists, managers, and modelers. The person in this position will be expected to collaborate with project investigators as well as other researchers and a diverse suite of coastal management partners.
University of Washington postdoctoral scholar appointments are for a temporary, defined period not to exceed five years/60 months, including any previous postdoctoral experience.
Instructions
To apply for this position, please submit an application via Interfolio. Applicants must submit:
- A statement of research interests, interest in actionable science, and relevant skills and experiences
- A CV
- A representative example of your scholarly work/s
- Names, addresses, emails and telephone numbers of three references
Questions regarding potential disability accommodations during the application process can be directed to sefsjobs@uw.edu.
Questions about the position can be directed to jlawler@uw.edu.
Position open until filled. Review of applications begins 2/1/25.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
Privacy Notice
Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.
Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.