What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Associate – Forest Futures Lab/Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative position at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies?
Salary transparency statement This is a full-time, fully benefitted exempt position with a one-year initial appointment, renewable for an additional year contingent on performance and funding. Annual salary starts at $74,263.00 , based on postdoctoral experience, with a highly competitive benefits and time-off package.
Position Summary
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies seeks a collaborative, synthetic postdoctoral associate to join the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative and the Forest Futures Lab. The Fire Collaborative includes 12 science teams and a team of boundary spanners working together to advance predictive science in fire ecology and ecosystem resilience in ways that are actionable for western US land managers. The postdoctoral associate will integrate remote sensing and geospatial data to determine how fire regimes affect western US river runoff and the drivers of fire-water relationships. This role offers leadership opportunities and the freedom to pursue independent research within a supportive and nurturing lab environment.
The position is based at the Cary Institute in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York, a short way north of New York City. The Cary Institute is home to a diverse, vibrant, and supportive community of colleagues. The anticipated start date is on or around January 4th, 2027.
Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Winslow Hansen at the Cary Institute.
Essential Responsibilities
• Present research findings in peer-reviewed papers, at scientific meetings, and in other forums.
• Work with colleagues in the Fire Collaborative to develop, lead, and implement independent research that enhances fire ecology and ecosystem resilience strategies.
• Leverage remote sensing and geospatial data in AI and Bayesian analytical frameworks to characterize relationships between fire and subsequent river runoff in western US watersheds.
• Engage with Collaborative boundary spanners, scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to ensure research findings effectively inform fire and forest management strategies.
• Contribute to a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment at the Cary Institute.
Required Qualifications
• Ph.D. in forest ecology, disturbance ecology, remote sensing, AI, or a related field prior to appointment.
• Demonstrated expertise in Earth observation, ecological remote sensing, fire ecology.
• Experience working with western US practitioners for producing actionable science.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, particularly with Bayesian and AI-based analyses.
• Ability to work independently.
• Proficiency with Google Earth Engine.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python, Java script.
Preferred Qualifications (Not required in every job description only as needed)
• Past postdoctoral experience.
• Proven record of successful collaboration in team-science environments.
• Past experience linking terrestrial disturbances with outcomes in adjacent freshwater systems.
• Past experience using remote sensing to characterize ecological disturbance in western landscapes.
Working Conditions
• Full-time, Exempt, fully benefitted position.
• Occasional travel for field work or meetings is required.
• Will require computer work for 7 hours or more a day.
Closing Date: Review of applications will begin 05/19/2026
To Apply:
Visit our website at https://www.caryinstitute.org/... and complete our online job application. Please submit one document that includes a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) describing research interests, CV, and contact information for three references. The Cary Institute is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Institute to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, familial status, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.