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Form of workLincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year.
GENERAL SUMMARY
This Post-Doctoral Fellow will analyze social-ecological data and publish manuscripts as part of an NSF-funded interdisciplinary DISES project focused on the drivers and consequences of human-carnivore interactions within and among American cities. We are seeking an interdisciplinary ecologist or social scientist with strong quantitative analysis skills to assist with developing an integrated model to predict human-carnivore interactions based on carnivore distributions, resident attitudes, behaviors, and experiences, and conflict reports. Such quantitative skills may include occupancy modeling and geospatial analysis of wildlife detection data and/or human survey data. Data will be collected by project co-investigators in Chicago IL, Phoenix AZ, Bay Area CA, and Washington D.C. as well as a multi-city research effort-the Urban Wildlife Information Network (www.urbanwildlifeinfo.org). In addition to data analysis and writing, the Post-Doctoral Fellow will be expected to contribute to mentoring graduate students and interns. Project investigators will also provide the Post-Doctoral Fellow with career mentorship with perspectives from ecology, social science, academic, and non-academic research that promotes inclusivity. This position is based at Lincoln Park Zoo but remote work is possible.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of ecologists and social scientists across institutions.
- Play a leading role in analyzing integrative datasets by developing and testing scientific hypotheses regarding ecological and social factors that promote human-carnivore interactions in cities and analyze associated datasets.
- Publish high-impact manuscripts resulting from the above work in conjunction with project co-investigators.
- Mentor graduate students and interns.
- Assist with grant applications as needed.
- Assist with public engagement events as needed.
- Assist with participatory science and educational activities as needed.
- Attend national scientific meetings and disseminate project findings.
- Expertise in Urban Wildlife biology and/or human-wildlife interactions with strong interests in research related to social-ecological systems generally and human-wildlife interactions specifically.
- Experience working with data from wildlife cameras and/or social science surveys, ideally across large geographic regions.
- Experience with both applied and basic research.
- Excellent communication (written and spoken) and multi-tasking skills. Ability to effectively work and communicate virtually with collaborators in cities across the United States.
- Familiarity with Bayesian statistics, occupancy modeling, and multi-level (i.e., hierarchical) modeling. Knowledge of geospatial software (e.g. ESRI) is an asset.
- Expertise in a scientific programming language, preferably R. Preference for those who have experience with version control (e.g., GitHub), have worked collaboratively on programming projects, and those with familiarity in either NIMBLE or JAGS.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm and a commitment to human-wildlife co-existence and conservation, including through collaborative research on this project and working with others, including training staff, volunteers, and students.
REQUIREMENTS
- PhD within the last 5 years in ecology, conservation biology, geography, social science, or a closely related scientific discipline.
- Available to work necessary hours, including occasional public engagement events which may be on evenings or weekends.
- Attend Lincoln Park Zoo and/or Urban Wildlife Institute-related activities as necessary.
- Available to attend training sessions and conferences as needed.
- Remote work is possible for this position, but preference will be given for those who are able to reside in the Chicago Metropolitan Area to assist with field data collection.
* Applications will be reviewed starting in February*
Compensation: $65,000 annually
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply.
Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values and experiences of all people. For Wildlife. For All.
