Job Description

The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation at Virginia Tech is hiring a postdoctoral associate supported by funds from the National Park Service (NPS). The National Capital Region (NCR) Inventory and Monitoring Network collects, analyzes, and synthesizes natural resource monitoring data to characterize the status and trends of NPS resources to inform park decision-making. The NCR tracks forest vegetation at >400 long-term monitoring plots distributed among 11 NPS units, spanning the Potomac River corridor from the urban center of the District of Columbia to remote forested areas in western Maryland and West Virginia. Many of these forest sites represent a diverse meeting of Coastal Plain, Piedmont, and Central Appalachian communities, and they represent a wide gradient of conditions from highly disturbed to old-growth. These plots are re-visited on a 4-year cycle, and the fourth sample visit was completed in 2022.
Through this project, Virginia Tech and the NCR will collaborate on:
(1) Scientific analysis and reporting on NCR forest vegetation monitoring data
(2) Preparation of scientific products that document the state of these resources and how they are changing
(3) Developing recommendations and best practices for managing these resources in a dynamic world.
(4) Develop an independent inquiry related to community ecology and forest condition from these data

Position will require travel to and from field sites within the Northern Virginia region will be needed to obtain additional field measurements and to meet with Park staff. Position will require working outside, walking for periods, and traversing uneven terrain.

Required Qualifications

* Ph.D. in Forest Resources or a similar discipline. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
* Publication record in peer-reviewed journals
* Strong analytical stills, including the use of statistical software (R preferred)

Preferred Qualifications

Pay Band

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$57,063

Review Date

1/31/24

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.