Postdoctoral Research Associate, joy Center

Overview

Position Highlights Arizona Institute for Resilience at the University of Arizona is in search of a Postdoctoral Research Associate, Lovejoy Center. We invite creative and collaborative applicants for a Postdoctoral Research Associate appointment to work with scientists in the U of A School of Natural Resources and the Environment (SNRE), the Lovejoy Center for Bridging Biodiversity, Conservation Science, and Policy, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Arizona to develop a map of wildlife corridors in and around TNC preserves and land holdings in Arizona.

Work will include assessing the value of Arizona’s TNC preserves and surrounding protected habitat to connectivity across the landscape, including potential analyses of shifts or reductions in corridors if TNC lands were not protected. Analyses could also include prioritizing additional places to protect to improve connectivity through the regions.

• Work under the supervision of Jesse Alston and Willem van Leeuwen in SNRE, in partnership with the Arizona chapter of TNC.
• Collaborate with community partners to provide scientific analyses that improve conservation practice across southern and central Arizona.
• Collaborate with graduate students, postdocs, and faculty at the University of Arizona on complementary research projects as appropriate.
• Disseminate project outcomes to relevant community partners.
• Present research findings and methodologies at relevant scientific and conservation meetings with travel sponsored by the University.
• Participation in department-wide trainings.

• Effective communication.
• Teamwork and collaboration.
• Scientific data analysis skills with application of theory, frameworks, and computational science skills.
• Familiarity with data science software.
• Academic writing skills.
• Public presentation skills.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to support emerging projects or needs that uphold the Lovejoy Center’s mission.

• Applicants must have completed their PhD from an accredited institution by the position start date.

• A PhD or doctoral degree in conservation biology, wildlife biology, ecology, natural resources, or similar field.
• One or more years of research experience in wildlife movement modeling or habitat selection analysis.
• Experience in at least two of the following areas: wildlife movement modeling; GIS software; spatial analysis and visualization; programming in R, Python, or similar; quantitative data collection and analysis; scientific synthesis and writing.
• Experience partnering with non-profits, government, and/or non-governmental agencies.
• Experience or motivation to conduct applied conservation science.
• Strong experience in quantitative research methods such as data science and statistics.

• FLSA Exempt
• Full Time/Part Time Full Time
• Number of Hours Worked per Week 40
• Job FTE 1.0
• Work Calendar Fiscal
• Job Category Research
• Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits
• Rate of Pay NIH salary guidelines, Depends on Experience
• Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
• Type of criminal background check required Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
• Number of Vacancies 1
• Open Date 1/16/2026
• Open Until Filled Yes
• Documents Needed to Apply Resume and Cover Letter
• Special Instructions to Applicant Note on AI:
  We will not use AI to review your application. Please be thoughtful about your own use of AI to create your application. Thank you!
• The position is located in Tucson and will require some in-person engagements, but selected candidates will be able to work hybrid.

For full consideration, please submit your application by the first review date of 2/14/2025.