Postdoctoral Position: Spatial patterning and ecological resilience across the tundra biome

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Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

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The salary for this position is $60,000 (Canadian funds) annually.

Postdoctoral Position: Spatial patterning and ecological resilience across the tundra biome

Location: Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Project Overview

There is an urgent need to understand the effects that global change can have on the Earth, its system components and ecosystems. One area of critical concern is the imminent abrupt and irreversible critical transitions of ecosystems through tipping points. Recent discoveries suggest that spatial pattern formation within ecosystems can enhance resilience, potentially averting or reversing these tipping points.

As part of the ERC-Synergy project Pathways of Resilience and Evasion of Tipping in Ecosystems (RESILIENCE), we are offering a postdoctoral position for a self-motivated candidate that will focus on studying spatial patterns within tundra ecosystems and their role in conferring resilience across the biome. By integrating satellite imagery, aerial photographs, drone data, and in-situ measurements from key research sites across the circumpolar Arctic, the candidate will quantify the extent and variability of spatial patterning in tundra ecosystems, including regions at the treeline. This research will be occurring in ice-rich permafrost ecosystems, investigating how spatial patterns interact with permafrost dynamics and respond to global change pressures. Understanding the impacts of permafrost thaw beyond ecological tipping points is critical for predicting landscape change and resilience.

This research will test the hypothesis that certain spatial patterning can confer resilience to ecological change, using approaches previously applied in savanna and dryland ecosystems. By examining these patterns, we aim to enhance our understanding of tundra ecosystem resilience and predict rates of landscape and ecological change in response to global shifts across the tundra biome. Collaboration with other PhD students, postdocs, and senior researchers from the involved universities will allow us to integrate mathematical and physical models of the data to address the larger project goals.

This postdoc position will be based in the research group of Prof. Isla Myers-Smith at the University of British Columbia, Canada. The postdoc will interact with the full RESILIENCE project team that combines expertise in ecology, mathematics, and physics including: Max Rietkerk (Utrecht University, The Netherlands), Arjen Doelman (Leiden University, The Netherlands), Ehud Meron (Ben-Gurion University, Israel) and many other postdocs, students and project collaborators.

This is a dynamic time to join the project as we launch into our project-wide collaborations, which integrate field research in the Canadian Arctic, advanced remote sensing, and global data synthesis.

Position Overview

As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:

- Analyze spatial patterns in tundra ecosystems using satellite imagery, aerial photographs, drone data and in-situ measurements

- Quantify spatial patterns across regions of the Arctic, linking them to environmental drivers, global change and ecosystem resilience

- Investigate how spatial patterns relate to landscape changes and permafrost dynamics

- Test the hypothesis that spatial patterns enhance resilience to ecological tipping points, building on methods used in savanna and dryland systems

- Collaborate with an international, interdisciplinary team of researchers, including PhDs, postdocs and senior scientists, to address broader project goals

- Contribute to predictive models of ecological and landscape change across the tundra biome- Contribute to publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Minimum Qualifications

- A Ph.D. in ecology, remote sensing, environmental sciences, data science, mathematics or a related field

- Strong quantitative skills, including data analysis, statistical modeling and data management

- Proficiency in R and/or Python programming

- A proven track record of publishing peer-reviewed research

- Fluency in English (written and spoken) with excellent communication skills

- Ability to work independently and lead collaborative, multi-author projects

- A passion for interdisciplinary research and collaboration within a diverse team

- Interest in mentoring early-career researchers

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with version control software (e.g., GitHub) and collaborative science practices

- Knowledge of spatial analysis, Bayesian statistics or drone-based data collection

- Fieldwork experience, particularly in Arctic or northern ecosystems

- Familiarity with permafrost systems and interest in exploring their dynamics

Offer

- Full-time, two-year contract (with the possibility of a third-year extension)

- Benefits: UBC offers a comprehensive benefits plan, including extended health and dental coverage.

- Mentorship and professional development opportunities, with encouragement to apply for independent research funding

About the Organization

This position will be based at the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, which is located on the territory of the Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) People.

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. The University of British Columbia's (UBC) Faculty of Forestry is recognized globally as one of the leading forestry faculties in the world. As the largest Faculty of Forestry in Canada, we welcome almost 1500 undergraduate and graduate students from over 40 countries every year to study forestry at UBC.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment. Applications from individuals of underrepresented groups, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, are strongly encouraged.

Application information

To apply, please visit apply to this Workday UBC Career posting.

For inquiries, contact Prof. Isla Myers-Smith (details at https://forestry.ubc.ca/faculty-profile/isla-myers-smith/).

For more information check out: https://teamshrub.com/team-shrub/opportunities/

Embark on a journey to uncover the resilience of the tundra biome and contribute to globally significant ecological research. We look forward to your application!